ASIA EDITION JUNE 20 19 asia.businesschief.com
Luxury built on sustainability
Transforming the guest experience through technology
Driving the digital economy Mohan Reddy on how the firm is laying the foundations for India’s technology development
City Focus
OSAKA
Zooming in on Japan’s second city
TOP 10
Largest companies in Asia
End-to-End End-to-End End-to-End YOUR ONE-STOP PROCUREMENT PARTNER YOUR ONE-STOP PROCUREMENT PARTNER Hilton Supply Management works with over 2,000 suppliers to manage YOUR ONE-STOP the entire supply chain from farm to Hilton Supply Management works PROCUREMENT PARTNER restaurant, manufacturer room and with over 2,000 suppliers toto manage
project to completion. We the entireinception supply chain from farm to provide sourcing for 8,000 properties restaurant, manufacturer to room and Hilton Supply Management works (including more than 1,800 non-Hilton project inception to completion. We with over 2,000 suppliers to manage hotels) leveraging massive economies provide sourcing 8,000 properties the entire supplyfor chain from farm to of scale, competitive contracts with (including more than 1,800 non-Hilton restaurant, manufacturer to room and top suppliers and substantial savings hotels) economies projectleveraging inception massive to completion. We for hotels. of scale, competitive contracts with provide sourcing for 8,000 properties top suppliers andthan substantial savings (including more 1,800 non-Hilton To learn more about joining the Hilton for hotels. hotels) leveraging massive economies procurement program please contact of scale, competitive contracts with us at HSM@Hilton.com. To learn more about joining thesavings Hilton top suppliers and substantial procurement for hotels. program please contact us at HSM@Hilton.com. To learn more about joining the Hilton Prototype Custom Operating procurement program please contact Décor Procurement Supplies Packages us at HSM@Hilton.com. Custom Procurement
Custom Procurement
© 2018 Hilton
© 2018 Hilton
© 2018 Hilton
Prototype Décor Packages
Prototype Décor Packages
Operating Supplies Operating Supplies
FOREWORD
W
elcome to the June issue of
Zhejiang Province, China, the company
Business Chief Asia.
offers immersive local experiences
BVR Mohan Reddy, founder of digital
that contrast powerfully with industry
transformation solutions provider
norms. “We try to take people out of
Cyient, and recipient of the coveted
their normal routines and help them
Padma Shri award, epitomises the
switch off their minds so that they can
amazing work that can be done
reconnect with nature,” explains Paul
through dedicated
de Vreede, VP of Sustainability
corporate social
and Strategic Initiatives at
responsibility initiatives.
the company, in the Naked
Speaking with Business
Retreats company profile.
Chief for this month’s cover feature, Reddy discusses the innovative
BVR Mohan Reddy, Executive Chairman, Cyient
mindset driving Cyient’s continued growth as a digital transformation leader, the programmes
Japan’s Osaka takes the spotlight in this month’s City Focus, while this month’s Top 10 pulls Asia’s
biggest companies into focus. Don’t forget to check out our
the firm is deploying to ensure India
company profiles on Okada Manila,
can harness its vast technological
Foodstuffs North Island, Hansen
potential, and its efforts to boost the
Yuncken and Uniting Care Queensland.
number of women working in the tech industry. Naked Retreats is championing
Do you have a story to tell? If you would like to be featured in an upcoming issue of Business Chief,
sustainability in the hotel industry whilst
get in touch at
simultaneously reconnecting its guests
marcus.lawrence@bizclikmedia.com
with nature. Based in the hilltops of
Enjoy the issue! a s i a . b u s i n e s s c h i e f. c o m
03
Building an ecosystem? Connect the dots. “Your journey to cloud must navigate pitfalls and opportunities that are unique to your business. We support you in imagining and delivering your cloud journey and making it run�. Eric Meistermann, Deloitte Partner in charge of AXA Group
ASIA EDITION
Click the home icon (top right of page) to return to contents page at anytime
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
MARCUS LAWRENCE
PRESS PLAY!
MANAGING EDITOR
WHEN YOU SEE THE PLAY BUTTON ICON, CLICK TO WATCH OUR VIDEO CONTENT
OLIVIA MINNOCK CREATIVE DIRECTORS
DANIEL CRAWFORD STEVE SHIPLEY CREATIVE TEAM
FRAZER JONES LUCIE MILLER ERIN HANCOX ALICIA LOLOTTE PRODUCTION DIRECTOR
DANIELA KIANICKOVA
Wherever you see these icons in the magazine click to be directly connected via social media
DIGITAL VIDEO DIRECTOR
JOSH TRETT DIGITAL VIDEO PRODUCERS
EMILY AMOS JOSHUA S. PECK
05
SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
CALLUM RIVETT SOCIAL MEDIA PRODUCERS
DANIEL WEATHERLEY JACK GRIMSHAW ASIA MANAGING DIRECTOR
CHARLOTTE CLARKE PROJECT DIRECTORS
ALEX PAGE KRIS PALMER NATHAN HOLMES
CLICK NOW TO SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
ALEX BARRON GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR
JAMES PEPPER CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
ANDY TURNER PRESIDENT & CEO
Visit the BusinessChief.com website and sign up to receive exclusive access to one of the world’s fastest growing business news platforms.
GLEN WHITE
IF YOU LIKE US PUBLISHED BY
FOLLOW US!
CONTENTS
10 22
driving India’s digital future ALIBABA CLOUD NOT YOUR TYPICAL CLOUD COMPANY
What can tech businesses do to address the STEM skills shortage?
36 46
Why we must invest in today’s shared transportation to build the foundation of tomorrow’s smart mobility
56
City Focus
64 TOP 10 Biggest companies in Asia
THERE’S A NEW
PARTNER IN ASIA WITH A FRESH PERSPECTIVE FOR GROWTH.
GrowthOps is a new kind of partner for businesses seeking to solve complex challenges and maximise growth potential. We combine leading edge technology, marketing, consulting and change leadership expertise to help organisations identify and realise strategic opportunities to: • leverage emerging technologies and digitise their business • build and launch transformational products • acquire and retain new customers • scale up operations cost effectively • grow revenue and profitability.
We’re ready to move now. FIND OUT MORE
FOR ENQUIRIES CONTACT JASON MORRISSEY, Partner +65 6220 8383 Singapore • Kuala Lumpur • Manila • Hong Kong • Shanghai • Brisbane • Sydney • Canberra • Melbourne • Auckland
142
CONTENTS
80
Okada Manila
Hansen Yuncken
110
naked Retreats
160
Foodstuffs North Island
128
UnitingCare Queensland
LEADERSHIP
10
driving India’s digital future BVR Mohan Reddy, Executive Chairman of digital solutions specialist Cyient, discusses the challenges facing India’s digital economy and how the firm is helping to lay the foundations for nationwide technological success WRITTEN BY
JUNE 2019
MARCUS LAWRENCE
11
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
LEADERSHIP
C
yient, founded in 1991 as Infotech Enterprises, is a provider of engineering, manufacturing, geospatial, network and
operations solutions. The Hyderabad-based firm has not only positioned itself as a leading digital transformation enabler, but its founder and Executive Chairman, BVR Mohan Reddy, is also deeply conscious of the role the firm can play in helping India realise its technological potential. Focusing primarily on strategy in the medium to long-term, particularly with Cyient’s New Business Accelerator (NBA) which works to develop and nurture new technologies for innovation of the
12
core business, Reddy’s day-to-day work pays significant attention to invention. Besides this, Reddy says that a core element of his role is based upon Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), an area which he is particularly passionate about. In 2017, Reddy was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, for his role in the development of the country’s Engineering R&D industry, and his commitment to societal progress through corporate action remains steadfast. “I’m very passionate about giving back to society,” says Reddy, noting Cyient’s historic commitment to this passion. “Long before the Indian government ruled that 2% of business profits must be returned to society, we started our own initiative to that end.” Not content with fulfilling his sense of duty to India in JUNE 2019
13
a financial sense, Reddy has also been a prolific supporter of CSR initiatives driven by direct investment into worthy causes. Cyient’s Adopt-a-School programme has seen it invest heavily in government-owned schools to improve the educational prospects of the country’s underprivileged children. The initiative has seen significant success in the improvement of both attendance and female enrolment. In 2016, Cyient celebrated its 25th anniversary by launching its Digital Literacy mission: 54 Cyient Digital a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
LEADERSHIP
14
Centres (CDC) across Serilingampally
Advancing beyond equipping Indian
Mandal Government Schools that
citizens with strong IT skills at the
strive to provide high-quality digital
grassroots level, Cyient is also working
education resources for communities,
proactively to address the shortfall
particularly underprivileged students.
in technological skills that is limiting
In a press release at the time, Cyient
digital progress. “There are a number
said the CDCs will benefit over 20,000
of new, disruptive technologies, such
children, as well as training over
as augmented reality, virtual reality,
50,000 community members in the
artificial intelligence, machine learning,
use of computers and the internet. This
blockchain. Unfortunately, we did
commitment to and understanding
not have a head start in any of those
of the importance of digital literacy
areas in India,” says Reddy. “The first
in modern India permeates through
challenge we have in terms of digital
Reddy’s strategies at Cyient.
disruption is in talent development,”
JUNE 2019
CLICK TO WATCH : CYIENT’S HIGHLIGHTS OF 2018 15
E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE
BVR Mohan Reddy, Executive Chairman BVR Mohan Reddy is an Indian entrepreneur who founded Cyient as Infotech Enterprises in 1991. In 2017, Reddy was awarded India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, the Padma Shri, in recognition of his impactful efforts in the development of India’s Engineering R&D industry. Mohan has provided design engineering services to global companies, including Boeing, Airbus, Pratt & Whitney, Bombardier, Philips, Siemens and Westinghouse. Mohan is alsoVice Chairman, NASSCOM and Chairman, Board of Governors, IIT Hyderabad. Mohan also serves as a member of National Council of CIIw.
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
LEADERSHIP
“ Customers set the mood, and they want us to become a lot more innovative. They like us to drive the solutions” — BVR Mohan Reddy, Executive Chairman, Cyient
16
says Reddy. “There are a number of
Skills,” explains Reddy. “We identified
interventions being done to make sure
around eight different technologies
we quickly upskill our people. One
that we view as important to the future,
example that I’m personally involved
and we also identified the job roles
in is on behalf of NASSCOM.” The
they might create. Of the 50 or 60
National Association of Software and
new role types we envisage, we have
Services Companies (NASSCOM),
recognised about 160 new skills that
with whom Reddy served as Chairman
have to come by it, and so we created
between 2016 and 2017, is an Indian
Future Skills. It’s an educational
non-profit trade association that
platform that aggregates information
seeks to develop talent and drive what
that’s available around the world,
it describes as intellectual capital
servicing the NASSCOM membership
nationwide. “At NASSCOM we have
which itself comprises much of the IT
developed a platform called Future
industry in India. On the backend, it
JUNE 2019
the industry. “Cyient is very keen to boost the participation of women in the company,” says Reddy, and his enthusiasm is palpable. “The challenge we have in India is in the social support systems, and so we find that it is difficult to push the numbers up. If you look at Cyient itself, we have about 30% women and 70% men at the entry level today, and as they go up the ladder the 30% slowly drops to 10%. Company-wide, the average is about 21%.” While social support systems
Cyient Innovation Hub
may be limiting the capacity for women to gain ground in technology, not just in India but around the world, Cyient
has an AI tool which customises the
is actioning a wealth of initiatives that
learning to the individual. It’s unusual,
aim to curb this challenge. “We are
eccentric learning, so therefore the
putting a lot of emphasis on work-life
content needs to be based on the
balance, and we want to ensure that
ability of the individual.” As the Indian
there is a consistent retention rate of
college system is currently enrolling
female employees. Therefore, if they
around 800,000 engineering students
have children at home or become new
each year, the combination of these
mothers, we have support systems
factors paints an exciting and positive
in place to cater to that. We are also
future for India’s digital capabilities.
improving the representation of women
In addition to addressing innovation
in leadership,” he adds. “We have
and skill shortages, Reddy is also
established initiatives for first-time
passionate about addressing the
leaders, guiding and supporting people
lacking representation of women in
as they transition to higher levels.” a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
17
LEADERSHIP
From a purely technological standpoint, Cyient is well-positioned to capitalise on the growing demand for innovation. “Customers set the mood, and they want us to become a lot more innovative. They like us to drive the solutions.” He adds that this represents a wider shift in society’s thinking. “In the past, when technologies were fairly stable, customers thought that they knew best. But now the thinking is more focused on open innovation, and I think customers are looking to us 18
to make sure that we participate in these new, innovative ideas.” One area that has seen particular focus is automation; Reddy highlights how Cyient digitises maps for a client as a pertinent example of this. “When we build these maps there is a considerable amount of repetitive work which is now becoming increasingly automated. That’s the expectation of the customer. The customer does not, at this point, allow us to deploy more people in order to do the work faster. They instead want us to deploy more automation tools to ensure that we achieve higher levels of productivity.” Other areas where Cyient has applied JUNE 2019
“ Cyient is very keen to boost the participation of women in the company” — BVR Mohan Reddy, Executive Chairman, Cyient
disruptive technologies include digital manufacturing, namely in 3D printing which enables rapid prototyping and modification, as well as incorporating drones into precision agriculture. Reddy quickly adds that the will to innovate the latter remains strong, returning to automation as a key way in which they can develop the exciting new technology further for their operations. “The images can be visually interpreted by a person, but that is not the limit of what technology is telling us we can do today. I think what we need to do is make sure that we’re interpreting these images using automated technologies, and that is one of the things we’re working on at this point in time.” Reddy’s forwardthinking and proactive nature is clearly infused throughout Cyient’s operations, fostering its position as an ever-growing digital transformation heavyweight and simultaneously paving the way for future success in India’s evolving digital landscape.
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
19
TECHNOLOGY
NOT YOUR TYPICAL CLOUD COMPANY 22
JUNE 2019
In Alibaba Cloud’s dynamic office in London, Business Chief spoke with Yeming Wang, General Manager for EMEA, to learn how the Chinese juggernaut is redefining the way we think about cloud technology WRITTEN BY
L AUR A MULL AN
23
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
TECHNOLOGY
G
rappling with some of the largest bemouths in the cloud computing
industry, in China it’s Alibaba Cloud
which reigns king. The cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group has quickly earned its stripes as China’s largest public cloud service provider and has the third largest share of the cloud computing market globally, according
to Gartner. Now keen to extend its reach further afield, the company has its eyes set firmly on a new horizon: the EMEA market. One man at the heart of this strategy is Yeming Wang, General Manager for the 24
EMEA region. Well-versed in the technology space, Wang has previously worked for Huawei, managing its operations in Italy, France, Thailand, Indonesia and abroad. This gave him the perfect springboard to drive Alibaba Cloud’s EMEA expansion, a goal which he says is central to the firm’s strategy moving forward. “Alibaba Group has a very strong presence in the Asia-Pacific and we aim to be number one in this region,” observes Wang, pointing to the group’s global businesses like e-commerce firm Lazada. “Besides the Asia-Pacific, we view regions like Europe as very strategic because of its size and maturity. In the Asia-Pacific region, people are still talking about migrating to cloud, whereas in Europe the discussion is JUNE 2019
25
MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE REALISING THAT ALIBABA ISN’T JUST AN E-COMMERCE OR A CLOUD COMPANY, IT’S A DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION ENABLER — Yeming Wang, General Manager for EMEA, Alibaba Cloud a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
TECHNOLOGY
ALIBABA HAS A RANGE OF BUSINESSES IN SECTORS SUCH AS RETAIL, FINANCE AND LOGISTICS AND WE ALSO UNDERSTAND HOW TO CREATE A DATA-DRIVEN USERCENTRIC EXPERIENCE 26
— Yeming Wang, General Manager for EMEA, Alibaba Cloud
now about the digital journey and how to use artificial intelligence (AI) or Big Data to drive business value.” Alibaba Cloud’s gleaming office in the heart of London is perhaps a testament to its global ambitions. Reclining confidently in his chair, Wang contends that, although there may be stiff competition, Alibaba Cloud is creating a distinguished cloud experience like no other in the region. This is not only because it understands the intricacies of the cloud environment, but also because it also understands the highstakes business world. “When selecting cloud providers, customers are looking for value, stability, security and cost-efficiency. But at the very top it’s different: businesses are looking to see how they can use our vertical expertise to make their business better. So, for instance, how can they use data or machines to better their business? It’s a totally different game,” he says. “Alibaba has a range of businesses in sectors such as retail, finance and logistics and so we understand how to create a data-driven user-centric experiences. We fully believe we can help our clients deliver this too.”
JUNE 2019
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘ALIBABA CLOUD: MORE THAN JUST CLOUD’ 27
In many ways, you would be hard-
US dollars every year and 60-70% of
pressed to find an industry vertical
this business is managed on the cloud.
where Alibaba Group isn’t within reach.
Recently we’ve made a strong
Whether you’re interested in retail,
commitment that we will migrate 100%
hospitality, IT, or fintech, the Chinese
to the cloud over the next couple of
conglomerate is omnipresent. By
years.” With over $39.9bn in revenue
leveraging its tried-and-test
bagged in its last fiscal year, this is
experience in these fields, Wang
no mean feat. With this in mind,
contends that Alibaba Cloud can show,
Alibaba Cloud doesn’t just support the
not just tell, its customers how to
Group’s business, it serves as a clear
digitally transform their industries. “At
demonstration to its customers of what
an infrastructure level, we can prove
its technology can do.
we’re reliable,” explains Wang. “Today, Alibaba Group manages more than 1trn
Overlooking the bustling streets of Covent Garden, it seems that Alibaba a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
TECHNOLOGY
Cloud is not just making its mark on the
enabler, offering data and service
London skyline, it’s also leaving a
platforms too. “Once they’ve adopted
lasting impression on the city’s
cloud, businesses can prepare for the
burgeoning cloud industry. However,
second stage where they derive value
it’s important to recognise that, in many
from AI or Big Data,” explains Wang.
ways, Alibaba Cloud is much more than
“Then they can focus on the real
just a cloud company. As the
business outcomes.”
technology and business worlds
Having touched every industry
become ever more intertwined,
imaginable, Wang contends that
Alibaba Cloud has tried to position
customers can leverage the cloud
itself as a digital transformation
company’s insights and expertise to
28
IT’S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNISE THAT, IN MANY WAYS, ALIBABA CLOUD IS MUCH MORE THAN JUST A CLOUD COMPANY — Yeming Wang, General Manager for EMEA, Alibaba Cloud
JUNE 2019
disrupt their own verticals. “Our
The reason we do this is because we
consumers often ask how we run
don’t just want to run a hotel, we want
Alibaba. So, for example, a hotel
to show people the possibilities of what
company may ask how Alibaba Group
we can do,” Wang says. Hotel giants
manages its hotel, Flyzoo. In this hotel
like InterContinental Hotel Group (IHG)
in Hangzhou, China, everything is
have already benefited from Alibaba
automated. There are no people;
Cloud’s expertise. With more than 350
customers use self check-in and are
hotels in Greater China, the hotel group
served by robots. When you get into a
has joined forces with Alibaba Cloud
room you use voice control. If you need
to develop a scalable and robust IT
room service, a robot will get it for you.
infrastructure that will support its
29
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
TECHNOLOGY
long-term growth goals. In doing so, it hopes to blend best-in-class technology with first-rate hospitality. Alibaba Cloud has not just disrupted the hotel market though, it’s also left a lasting impression in the retail market too. Jack Ma, one of the founders of Alibaba Group, is often credited for coining the term ‘New Retail’, a new omnichannel way of thinking where the lines between offline and online commerce are becoming infinitely blurred. With its parent group standing as one of the largest and most valuable 30
e-commerce companies in the world, Alibaba Cloud is well-equipped to offer sage advice and digitally disruptive technologies in this space. “Today, everyone in retail understands the importance of omnichannel offers and user-centric experiences,” highlights Wang, pointing how Alibaba’s collaboration and communication platform DingTalk could be a valuable solution to connect employees, for instance. Indeed, one retail titan that’s working alongside the cloud computing business is Spain’s El Corte Inglés, the biggest department store in Europe by sales. Joining forces with Alibaba Cloud, the Madrid-based JUNE 2019
department store is leveraging tools including big data analytics, artificial intelligence and more to deliver more personalised experiences to its customers today. Verticals such as finance and smart cities have also been identified as key target markets for Alibaba Cloud but, regardless of the sector, one thing is for certain: digital transformation is set to be at the heart of the company’s business strategy moving forward. “We’ve seen that for almost every company today, especially in Europe, CIOs and CTOs don’t have any doubts about digital transformation,” Wang adds. “A could of years ago they were deliberating about whether to use cloud, but now they’re asking whether they will use Big Data or Artificial Intelligence. They have digital transformation strategies and are looking towards digital platforms because they want to change the rules. They want to be a game changer.” This has offered a window of opportunity for Alibaba Cloud, with Wang noting how customers are keen to develop intelligence-based partnerships with “agile a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
31
TECHNOLOGY
32
ALIBABA GROUP MANAGES MORE THAN ONE TRILLION US DOLLARS EVERY YEAR AND 60-70% OF THIS BUSINESS IS MANAGED ON THE CLOUD — Yeming Wang, General Manager for EMEA, Alibaba Cloud JUNE 2019
companies like Alibaba Cloud who have strong internet DNA”. Indeed, the cloud computing giant has established partnerships and attracted 2.3mncustomers worldwide, including over 1mn paying customers. Yet, when asked what he has been most proud of during his tenure, Wang cites the company’s growing brand awareness, pointing out how it’s much more than your typical technology firm. “More and more, people are realising that Alibaba isn’t just an e-commerce or a cloud company, it’s a digital transformation enabler,” says Wang, noting how, looking forward, the firm plans to deepen its partnerships with industry experts like KPMG and Deloitte. “We want to deliver our Asian digital success story to the western market” he concludes. “It’s not just about cloud, it’s about business and digital transformation.”
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
33
Covering every angle in the digital age The Business Chief platforms offer insight on the trends influencing C and V-level executives, telling the stories that matter
CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE
w w w.bu si nessch ief.com
PEOPLE
36
What can tech businesses do to address the STEM skills shortage? RICH MORTIMER, CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER AT EGRESS SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGIES, REFLECTS ON HOW THE TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY CAN SOLVE THE ISSUE OF THE SKILLS SHORTAGE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS (STEM) THAT THREATENS TO SLOW THE PACE OF PROGRESS WRITTEN BY
JUNE 2019
RICH MORTIMER
37
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
PEOPLE
W
e are living through a period of unprecedented change. Rapidly evolving technology has trans-
formed how we live and work, creating expectations for the future that would have seemed the stuff of science fiction just a few decades ago. It’s easy to get caught up in the vast possibilities that technology offers, but we must remember that people are the ones driving innovation in this exciting new world and they are central to its success. To fully realise the potential of the technology at
38
our fingertips, it’s vital that we invest in our people resources and address the skills shortage in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) that threatens to slow the pace of progress. A recent STEM skills indicator showed that businesses at the cutting edge of the industrial economy, from healthcare to Artificial Intelligence and robotics, are feeling the effects of a lack of STEM skills in the UK workforce. Additional costs of £1.5 billion were associated with difficulties in recruiting staff with the right skill level; 7 in 10 businesses had struggled to fill key positions. While the UK government has rightly identified increasing the UK population’s STEM skills as a priority and a pillar of its JUNE 2019
“Young people start making career choices at a very early stage, so encouraging them to consider STEM-related roles must reflect that. We need to start competing for talent in the classroom” — Rich Mortimer, Chief People Officer, Egress Software Technologies
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
39
PEOPLE
industrial strategy, this transformation
workforce continuity, while also
can’t happen overnight – and in the
offering exciting opportunities to
interim we face a skills crunch. As a
a wider range of people.
scale-up business in the technology industry, at Egress we have first-hand
EARLY EXPOSURE IS ESSENTIAL
experience of working hard to attract,
Young people start making career
recruit and retain the skilled employ-
choices at a very early stage,
ees vital to our fast-paced growth. It’s
so encouraging them to consider
clear from this experience that the
STEM-related roles must reflect that.
technology community urgently needs
We need to start competing for
to step-up to tackle the lack of STEM
talent in the classroom.
skills head-on and get smarter about
Research shows that girls in
building our own pipeline of talent.
particular begin to lose interest in
This way we can strengthen our own
STEM-related careers in their
40
JUNE 2019
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘THE TRUST NETWORK’ 41 mid-teens, with 58% of them dismiss-
the tech sector is strongly positioned
ing the idea of a STEM career by the
to provide both. Technology is the
time they reach university. As an
biggest force for change on the planet
industry, we need to work with schools
right now, capable of solving some of
and youth organisations to promote
humanity’s most pressing problems.
the benefits, opportunities and
Opportunities to make a positive
satisfaction that careers in technology
difference to the world abound and
offer entrants from all backgrounds.
this should appeal to young people
Doing this successfully means looking at what motivates young
seeking meaningful careers. The tech industry is also growing
people. Today’s career entrants are
exponentially at a time when many
prioritising quality of life over the
traditional industries are facing
accumulation of physical assets like
disruption. It therefore provides
cars and houses; they’re looking for
greater job security for those who
“purpose, not paychecks”. However,
have the skills to be part of it. a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
PEOPLE
42
These should be compelling
such as time and workload manage-
messages for young people who are
ment. The obvious remedy for this is
considering their education and career
experience in the workplace and this
options. We need to build awareness
is something we strongly support
and keep providing touchpoints with
at Egress.
the industry, so that when students
Increasingly, universities are recog-
come to make choices, we are firmly
nising that employability skills are
on the shortlist.
at least as important as academic achievements and they’re becoming
THE POWER OF UNDERGRADUATE PLACEMENT PROGRAMMES
more proactive about engaging with
There’s been a common complaint
for undergraduates. As a tech company,
from businesses in recent years that
it’s our responsibility to reach out as well
graduates lack basic workplace skills,
and provide meaningful placements,
JUNE 2019
businesses to secure work placement
“Offering non-financial advantages to employees is an important strategy for scale-up businesses trying to appeal to today’s career entrants” — Rich Mortimer, Chief People Officer, Egress Software Technologies 43
which give undergraduates realistic
their undergraduate studies – with
insight into how businesses operate in
even more on their way following
the commercial environment. Even if
graduations in 2019/20. Having got
ultimately, a student decides against
to know these individuals during their
a career in technology, experience in
placement year, we can be confident
the workplace is transferable and will
that they have the right cultural fit, the
increase their value for future employers.
skills potential we need, and are ready
Undergraduate placement pro-
to grow alongside the business.
grammes are also hugely valuable for where you start to identify your future
BUILDING LOYALTY THROUGH TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
talent. It has worked well for Egress,
Once we’ve recruited into STEM roles,
with several of our current staff joining
we have to create the right environ-
after spending a year with us during
ment to retain staff and create loyalty.
the companies that offer them; they’re
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
PEOPLE
Evidence suggests that high-level STEM employees are less likely than counterparts in other roles to receive ongoing training, which is an imbalance that tech companies must be at the forefront of correcting. Today’s career entrants place heavy emphasis on personal development, so continuous learning opportunities and career progression are vital. It’s important that as start-ups mature into scale-up businesses, there is a formalisation of training and develop44
ment strategies that will attract and retain employees. Workplace training has changed a lot in the past 20 years – and for the better. Previously you might have spent five days in a classroom and received a certificate at the end, but today, training is much more hands-on and real-world focussed. At Egress, our Academy Programme offers personalised training to employees at all levels of the business, from apprentices and undergraduates, right up through management and at executive level. We typically run six-month programmes with multiple short sessions plus mentoring – JUNE 2019
“Today’s career entrants place heavy emphasis on personal development, so continuous learning opportunities and career progression are vital” — Rich Mortimer, Chief People Officer, Egress Software Technologies
a high-touch approach that’s very effective in developing both the technical and softer management skills that we need in our workforce. Offering non-financial advantages to employees is also an important strategy for scale-up businesses trying to appeal to today’s career entrants. This includes personalised development programmes but also extends to the less tangible ‘experience’ that an energetic and flexible work environment can offer. By focusing on promoting the tech sector to future employees, providing opportunities for undergraduates and developing our own STEM talent within the business, tech companies can put themselves in a much stronger position to navigate the skills shortage, as longer-term educational initiatives also take effect.
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
45
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
46
Why we must invest in today’s shared transportation to build the foundation of tomorrow’s smart mobility CEO & co-founder of Zeelo, Sam Ryan, explores why smart transportation is a must for tomorrow’s cities WRITTEN BY
JUNE 2019
SA M RYAN
47
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
48
W
e’re living in an exciting time
utopian ideal of a seamlessly integrated,
for smart mobility. Buoyed by
intelligent transport network and the
recent developments in trans-
corollary benefits that such a system
formative technologies, such as artificial
will bring – to the economy, to passenger
intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things
safety, to the health and wellbeing of
(IoT) and fifth-generation wireless
both people and the natural environment.
communications (5G), the vision of
But while a future-thinking perspective
fully-sophisticated smart mobility
is all well and good, it’s important to
seems closer than ever.
remember that innovation cannot be
With one eye firmly fixed upon a future
built on blue-sky thinking alone. While
where everyday processes and services
future smart mobility will certainly
will become increasingly interconnected,
comprise an array of exciting forms of
data-driven and autonomous, it’s hard
transportation – wide scale electrification
not to feel a sense of excitement at the
of vehicle fleets, autonomous vehicles,
JUNE 2019
49
fully-connected travel experiences and
fuelled by ever-cheaper models
more besides – we must not lose sight
produced on a hyper mass-market scale,
of the practical steps that need to be
with private car ownership per-capita
taken in the here and now to step change
rising year-on-year in virtually every
transportation for tomorrow. This starts
nation on earth. But while current rates
with a fundamental shift in attitudes to
of ownership still far exceed the pro-
travel – namely, away from the singular
portion of one car for every two persons
and towards the shared.
across much of the developed world, a report on disruptive automotive trends
AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
from McKinsey & Company suggests
For close to a century, the car has been
the beginnings of a global downward
considered king when it comes to
trend in private car ownership. In the
convenient transportation. In that time,
face of growing global frustration at
demand has been both fulfilled and
excessive congestion on inter-city a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
“ While future smart mobility will certainly comprise an array of exciting forms of transportation… we must not lose sight of the practical steps that need to be taken” — Sam Ryan, CEO & co-founder of Zeelo
50 highways and in busy urban centres,
tion is getting worse, costing an estimat-
and the resulting environmental
ed $305bn in economic impact in 2017
concerns that such high levels of traffic
in the US alone, an increase of $10bn
bring, there is a growing acceptance
from 2016. Excessive carbon emissions
that private vehicles aren’t necessarily
from traffic are polluting our air to
the way that people will move in future.
dangerous levels, with the World Health
Some are already beginning to break
Organisation claiming that transport
the habits of a lifetime and transition
accounted for almost a quarter of global
towards smarter shared mobility
carbon dioxide emissions in 2010. In
services – though the rate at which this
addition, people are spending longer
is happening is perhaps slower than it
than ever commuting to and from work,
ought to be.
regardless of how they travel, while the
The problems faced by societies on
overwhelming need for more car
a global scale as a result of excessive
parking spaces is limiting our ability to
car ownership are intensifying. Conges-
expand and grow smarter cities in the
JUNE 2019
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘TRAVEL WITH ZEELO | YOUR COMMUTING, FAN AND FESTIVAL TRAVEL SORTED’ 51 way that we want to. The fact is that
communal travel models of old. Because
while cars have long been seen as the
of technological innovations, shared
ultimate symbols of convenience, the
travel experiences are becoming better
global overreliance on them means
than ever – though this, of course, means
that these efficacy benefits are not only
that expectations are similarly increased.
being outweighed by the negatives, but
An influx of well-funded ride-hailing
are simply ceasing to exist altogether.
startups has disrupted the transport
Solo travel is starting to seem less like
market, while the level of on-demand
a route to convenience and more like
expediency offered across a range of
a roadblock.
other industries has fundamentally raised the bar on what customers expect from
SHARING THE SPOILS
the services they consume. People
The idea of travelling together is certainly
want services that are made for them,
nothing new, but today’s innovative
designed and developed around their
shared mobility services are unlike the
wants and needs – and they not only a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y
want them immediately, but they expect
chance of actually making the most of
them to be affordable. For the status of
their travel time. Secondly, transport
smart mobility to be truly accelerated,
providers and planners must work
propositions must meet the skyrocket-
together to bridge the current gaps in
ing demands that consumers have now
the network, as the current reliance on
in terms of ease and efficiency.
personal car transportation is primarily
To do this, we can start to focus on
driven by a lack of genuinely compelling
a number of things. Firstly, transport
alternatives. Gaps in the transport
operators and providers can invest in
network can be quickly and dynamically
better onboard experiences to help
filled by new, connected and data-driven
solve the wellbeing and productivity
mobility services, which are a precur-
challenges associated with stressful
sor to the ultimate goal of seamlessly
journeys. By improving communal
connected travel experiences.
travel experiences, whether for work or 52
leisure, operators give people the
Finally, and where feasible, we must look to interlink existing travel options,
“ Because of technological innovations, shared travel experiences are becoming better than ever� — Sam Ryan, CEO & co-founder of Zeelo
JUNE 2019
with a particular focus on solving the challenge of the first and last mile. If people cannot get exactly to where they need to be via shared transport, they will often begrudgingly turn back to the private vehicles they are trying to leave behind. Local municipalities and regulators have a key part to play here, as it is only by enabling the provision of data between all parties in the overall travel experience and ultimately beginning to break down the existing barriers between public and private transportation that we will start to see real progress made.
53
FACING THE FUTURE Improving the performance and viability
will eventually overcome all these hurdles,
of today’s shared travel options will lay
and the dream will one day become
a bedrock upon which to start serious-
reality, but hurdles do, of course, come in
ly building the smarter travel networks
sequence. We cannot scale them all at
of the future. True smart mobility isn’t
once, and without overcoming the
here yet, and there are many hurdles to
challenge of making shared mobility
overcome as we progress towards the
more attractive than solo travel, we run
ultimate goal – including building the
the risk of the remaining hurdles seeming
infrastructure for electric and automat-
increasingly insurmountable.
ed vehicles, working out how these next-generation vehicles will properly interface with the human world and solving synonymous challenges in other sectors such as mobile networks. We a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
Meet With Key Leaders In Procurement At Asia’s Largest Procurement Conference
Meet With Key Leaders In Procurement At Asia’s Largest Procurement Conference Some Of our 70+ inspiring Speakers include
Daniel Koh VP of Global Procurement Flex NEW
Andrew Cannon-Brookes Global Head, Supply Chain Management Standard Chartered Bank
Victoria Folbigg VP of Procurement Zuellig Pharma NEW
Michelle Quek VP of Finance Ensign InfoSecurity NEW
NEW
Sponsors
Contact us to reserve a seat or find out more! +65 6722 9455
sgwbrinfo@wbresearch.com
https://procureconasia.wbresearch.com
Digital Evaluation Day 9 July 2019 Main Conference Days 10 – 11 July 2019 Amara Sanctuary Resort Sentosa, Singapore
Sandeep Dandekarr Executive VP, Procurement & Asset Management Netmagic (An NTT Communications Company) NEW
Vimal Shah Group Executive VP & Head Procurement Yes Bank NEW
#PCASIA ProcureCon
@Procureconasia
Firoz Lakhani GM of Global Procurement Tata Communications
NEW
Gilbert Chow GM of Global Procurement, Asia, Middle East & Africa Fonterra NEW
Find Out More
CITY FOCUS
OSA OSA City Focus
56
Business Chief profiles the sustainability goals and advanced infrastructure of Japan’s so-called ‘second city’ WRITTEN BY
JUNE 2018
WILLIAM SMITH
AKA a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
57
CITY FOCUS | OSAKA
L
ocated in west-central Japan, Osaka lies on
the eastern side of its eponymous bay. Osaka’s metropolis, known as Keihanshin, had a pop-
ulation of over 19mn according to the last census
in 2012, the second highest in Japan after Tokyo. Osaka city proper is the largest constituent part of that metropolis, in front of Kyoto, Kobe and Sakai. In 2014, the OECD calculated that the Osaka prefecture contributed 7.4% of Japan’s total GDP, and in 2015 the Brookings Institution said that the Keihanshin region had a GDP of US$681bn, slightly higher than Beijing’s. Histori58
cally the city has acted as a hub of Japanese commerce. Though it is less prominent in that area in modern times, a number of large companies maintain their headquarters in the city and a general entrepreneurial spirit prevails. Across the country, Japan has recently renewed its focus on sustainability and disaster resilience in order to combat a spate of climate emergencies. Osaka is no different in this regard. In 2011, Osaka’s government instituted a scheme it called “The Environmentally Advanced City of Osaka”. Measures it includes are an 80% reduction in total gas emissions from their 1990 levels by 2050, a reduction of annual waste to under one million tons per year, and encouragement for its residents to rely on ecofriendly personal transport. JUNE 2018
59
SHARP Electronics multinational Sharp Corporation is located in Sakai, part of Osaka’s Keihanshin metropolitan region. The name is appropriate considering Sakai’s reputation as a maker of samurai swords. The company name, however, derives instead from a mechanical pencil it developed, the
‘Osaka’s infrastructure is renowned, and among the best in Japan’
“Ever-Ready Sharp Pencil”. A subsidiary of Taiwan’s Foxconn, it also maintains a second headquarters in the country. Founded in Tokyo in 1912, Sharp moved a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
CITY FOCUS | OSAKA
‘A number of large companies maintain their headquarters in the city and a general entrepreneurial spirit prevails’
to Osaka in 1923. It describes its operations as “mainly manufacturing and sales of telecommunications equipment, electric and electronic application equipment, and electronic components.” It reported just over ¥2tn ($18.3bn) in revenue in 2017 and as of 2018 it employs 41,898 people.
ITOCHU Itochu is part of the venerable Japanese tradition of Sogo shosha, companies that specialise in providing a wide range of products. With its HQ located in
60
Osaka proper rather than on its outskirts, the company’s post war success was built around textiles, but it also deals in machinery, food production and processing, insurance, IT and many others. With a lineage dating back to 1858, the company employs over 100,000 people, and has a revenue of ¥4,838bn ($44.3bn) as of March 2018. Itochu sees the breadth of its operations as key to its success and it also has a strong message of corporate responsibility: “As one of Japan’s preeminent merchant companies, we will remain grounded in our merchant’s spirit while aiming for business operations that JUNE 2018
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘OSAKA CITY – TRAVEL TO JAPAN’ © SWEET SOUR TRAVEL 61 are good for the seller, good for the
heating systems. The company also
buyer, and good for society.”
conducts business outside of electronics, such as housing materials and
PANASONIC
construction. Panasonic says that its
Headquartered in Kadoma on the out-
brand slogan ‘A Better Life, A Better
skirts of Osaka, the multinational
World’ “aims to concisely express [its]
electronics company Panasonic con-
Basic Management Objective in the
tinues to operate in the city in which it
modern era established by founder
was born. It recently celebrated its
Konosuke Matsushita.” Employing
hundredth birthday, having been
almost 260,000 people, its revenue was
founded in 1918. Operating worldwide,
just under ¥8tn (US73.3bn) as of 2018.
the company is involved in numerous electronics sectors, ranging from
INFRASTRUCTURE
consumer devices, to vehicle interior
Osaka’s infrastructure is renowned, and
infotainment systems, to cooling and
among the best in Japan. According to a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
CITY FOCUS | OSAKA
19mn Population of Keihanshin
a 2015 paper by academics from the University Düsseldorf, “Osaka’s ubiquitous infra-structure is most advanced [in Japan], as for the year 2011 the city had the most broadband
$681bn GDP of Keihanshin region
7.4%
62
Total contribution to Japan’s GDP
CATV, DSL, FTTH as well as mobile phone subscribers.” Its dominance in infrastructure extends also to its transportation network. Osaka’s metro is the second oldest in Japan, servicing and connecting the city’s vast productive hinterlands. With such a dense and well serviced metropolitan area, Osaka is ripe for the employment of smart technologies to improve the lives of its citizens. According to FutureIOT, one such
JUNE 2018
scheme saw Osaka install sensors by Japanese company NEC in order to monitor factors such as congestion and crowd flow. The company said that “this will contribute to the deployment of security guards and the optimization of evacuation guidance.” A city which always has something to do, upcoming events include the construction event on 6-7 June, and the advertising trade show Sign Expo on 14-16 June. With its history of inno-
‘With such a dense and well serviced metropolitan area, Osaka is ripe for the employment of smart technologies to improve the lives of its citizens’
vation, a technologically advanced culture, and the infrastructure to match, Osaka is well placed to meet any chal-
63
lenges it may face as it continues to grow and expand in the future.
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
T O P 10
TOP 10 Biggest companies in Asia
64
In 2018, half of the top 10 largest companies in the world were Chinese. Business Chief has taken a closer look at APAC businesses and ranked the top 10 largest using Forbes’ Global 2000 list WRITTEN BY
JUNE 2019
AMBER DONOVAN-STEVENS
65
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
T O P 10
66
10
China Merchants Bank [ China ]
With a market capitalisation of US$130.4bn, China Merchants Bank offers leading banking services in China and abroad. The firm was established in Shenzhen, China, in 1987 and it now stands as one of the most influential banking brands in the country. Led by Chief Executive Officer, Huiyu Tian, the bank has won a number of accolades including the Best Commercial Bank of China, the Best Retail Bank in China, the Best Private Bank in China and China’s Best Custody Specialist from the British Financial Times, Euromoney and The Asset respectively.
JUNE 2019
67
09
China Mobile [ Hong Kong ]
China Mobile Communications Corporation, commonly known as China Mobile, is a state-owned telecommunications service located in Hong Kong. With a market capitalisation of $197.6bn and 464,656 members of staff, it is the largest company in Hong Kong. China Mobile was a Platinum Award winner at The Asset Corporate Awards 2018 and received Asia’s Icon on Corporate Governance award. On top of this, the company has also received the Asia’s Best Investor Relations Company award from Corporate Governance Asia.
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
69
08
PetroChina [ China ]
PetroChina is an oil and gas operation headquartered in Beijing. Founded in 1999, the company has specialised in the exploration, development, production and sale of crude oil and natural gas. PetroChina has sales of $322.8bn and a value of $198.7bn. In its first quarterly report for 2019, PetroChina highlighted that the company and its subsidiaries’ output of crude oil saw a 4.6% increase year-on-year to 223.4mn barrels. It is the second largest oil producer in China, with over 494,297 employees.
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
T O P 10
07
Toyota Motor Corporation [ Japan ]
Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japanese multinational automotive and truck manufacturer headquartered in Toyota City, Aichi, Japan. Toyota was founded in 1937 by Kiichiro Toyoda on 28 August 1937. Toyota has a market capitalisation of $176.6bn and sales of $272.1bn, making it the 12th largest company in the world and the sixth largest in Asia.
JUNE 2019
71
06
Samsung Electronics [ South Korea ]
Samsung Electronics has a market capitalisation of $272.4bn. Founded in 1969, with headquarters in Suwon, Korea, Samsung exports consumer electronics, information technology, mobile communications and device solutions across the world. It has a workforce of 20,000 employees and placed in Forbes’ Best Employers 2019 for both America and Canada. Additionally, Forbes also ranked Samsung #76 on its World’s Best Employers list 2018.
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
From Inspiration
to Innovation
Bank of China, Hong Kong office
73
05
Bank of China [ China ]
The Bank of China (BOC) is the third largest bank of China’s ‘Big Four,’ with a market value of $143bn, and assets three times the size of Ping An ($3,097.6bn). Founded in 1912, the state-owned bank is 107 years old, making it the oldest company listed in our top 10. Today, it is responsible for 311,133 employees. The major bank operates its services in categories such as corporate banking, personal banking, treasury operations, investment banking, insurance. a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
T O P 10
74
04
Ping An Insurance Group [ China ]
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China Ltd, also known as also as Ping An of China had a value of $220.2.bn in 2018, yet is considerably more asset-rich with $1,038.3bn in assets. The civilian-run company is a conglomerate of companies that handle diversified insurance, responsible for business of insurance, banking and investment. Ping An Insurance was founded on 21 March 1988 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, China. Today, it is part of the Hang Seng Index: an index of the top 50 companies in the Hong Kong Market Stock Exchange.
JUNE 2019
75
03
Agricultural Bank of China [ China ]
The Agricultural Bank of China, also known as AgBank or ABC, is the third largest bank in the world with a market capitalisation of $197bn. The regional bank is also part of China’s ‘Big Four’. It was founded in 1951 and has its headquarters in Dongcheng District, Beijing. Today, it has branches across mainland China, Hong Kong, London, Tokyo, New York, Frankfurt, Sydney, Seoul, and Singapore. ABC has 320mn retail customers, 2.7mn corporate clients, and nearly 24,000 branches.
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
T O P 10
02
China Construction Bank [ China ]
China Construction Bank Corporation (CCB) is the 76
second-largest of China’s ‘Big Four’, and the second largest bank in the world. CCB has 13,629 domestic branches as well as branches in Barcelona, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, Johannesburg, New York City, Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney and Auckland, and a wholly-owned subsidiary in London. The major bank was valued in 2018 at $225bn. CCB was founded in 1954, with headquarters in Xicheng District, Beijing, under the name of People’s Construction Bank of China.
JUNE 2019
77
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
Photo © Peter K Burian (Wikipedia)
T O P 10
78
JUNE 2019
01
ICBC
[ China ]
The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) is the largest of ‘The Big Four’ banks in China and also the largest company in both Asia and the world. ICBC generates $175.9bn in annual sales. Not only is it the largest bank in the world by sales, it also gains the top spot for being regarded as the largest bank in the world by total assets, deposits, loans, number of customers and number of employees. The multinational banking company has over 400,000 employees across. It is unsurprising for this reason that it is also number one in The Banker’s Top 1000 World Banks ranking. 79
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
OKADA MANILA
80
Redefining technology in Asia’s hotel industry
WRITTEN BY
SEAN GALEA-PACE PRODUCED BY
KRISTOFER PALMER
JUNE 2019
81
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
OKADA MANILA
Dries Scott, Chief Technology Officer at Okada Manila, discusses how his company is leveraging technology in the hospitality, gaming & entertainment sector
82
JUNE 2019
C
onsidered one of the largest
overseen Okada’s digitalisation jour-
and most exciting entertain-
ney from the ground up, Dries Scott,
ment destinations in Asia,
Chief Technology Officer, reflects on
Okada Manila is in the midst of
how the company has evolved over
a digital transformation as it embraces
the past few years. “Okada Manila
technology to enhance the service
is the first Japanese-owned casino
it provides to its customers. Having
resort opened so there wasn’t any
83
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
OKADA MANILA
“We’re very much focused on the technology of today” — Dries Scott, Chief Technology Officer, Okada Manila
84
previously used legacy system to rely
an older legacy. We can adapt and
on. The initial challenge when I came
change, and that gives us an advan-
on board was to start everything from
tage over our competitors because
scratch. It was an empty playing field,
we’re able to be more flexible. We
and we had to go and hand pick every
get a lot of support from our mother
single system installed in the prop-
company UEC, which is a gaming
erty,” explains Scott. “Through that
technology company that provided
process you don’t necessarily want to
some of our core gaming compo-
use legacy or outdated AS400 sys-
nents, and have in many areas been
tems because you want to go with the
beating some of their own competi-
newer developments and technolo-
tors by introducing advanced gaming
gies. I believe it gave us an advantage
platforms that is assisting to drive the
because we’re not stuck dealing with
industry into the next generation.”
JUNE 2019
85
E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE
Dries Scott Dries is an accomplished and versatile IT professional with 23 years of experience in the Information Technology field where he has implemented over 100 different business systems and network tools. Having started as Vice President of IT at Okada Manila in January 2014, Dries went on to become Senior Vice President after proving his success and delivery of a fully operational IT environment to support the company. Dries was promoted again to his current role of Chief Technology Officer in March 2018 to define the technology roadmap to support the Okada Manila’s future objectives.
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
OKADA MANILA
“ If you create a memorable experience then people tend to come back” 88
— Dries Scott, Chief Technology Officer, Okada Manila
JUNE 2019
Having worked in a variety of different IT roles early in his career in his native South Africa, Scott undertook positions such as an Associate Director at Sands Cotai Limited and Senior IT Manager with Tsogo Sun followed by a stint as Director of IT Development & Quality Assurance at The Venetian Macao Resort before moving on to Okada Manila in January 2014. Scott believes his earlier experiences in hospitality and gaming laid the groundwork for him to succeed in his current role. “Working through the ranks teaches
OKADO MANILA – CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER – CREATING A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE’’
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
89
TECHNOLOGY TO TRANSCEND FIND OUT MORE ONLINE
CONTACT US
O U R PA R T N E R S :
REDEFINING PARTNERSHIP, TRAVERSING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION Success in business does not just happen overnight. It takes years of hard work, trying and experimenting on new strategies, and of course, finding the right partner. At Trends, we take partnership to a whole new level. We empower businesses and usher our partners into the digital future by harnessing the power of technology. We carefully curate, flexible services and solutions, from Network Infrastructure to Collaboration and Customer Experience, Business Analytics and Application Management, and Network Information and Security, tailored to your requirements. What makes us a better partner? We endeavor to excel further and consistently remain at the top of the ICT industry through our commitment to total customer satisfaction. We walk with our business partners every step of the way from conceptualization to design and engineering, project management, implementation, training and after-sales support, and work with technology leaders to provide the most innovative solutions to make our partners’ vision a reality. Such is the case of Okada, Entertainment City’s largest integrated resort. For the finest, most extravagant hotel, expectations are sky-high. With Okada’s commitment to serve its guests better and give an unmatched experience of luxury and everything first class, it enlisted the technical and business expertise of Trends to
help provide a consistent experience and flexible set of guest services for a more improved satisfaction. Guests can now fully have access to fast wireless internet connection. Cisco switches were strategically deployed at the podium and specific transmission and an unforgettable digital serious concern as Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise installed GPON cables beneath the floor, allowing for less cabling requirement taking into consideration the size of the property. All active components and IT equipment used for the digital transformation of Okada were integrated using CommScope’s Netconnect end-to-end structured cabling solutions. All these have prepared Okada to keep up with the demands of technology in the hospitality industry. Trends, in partnership with tech giants AlcatelLucent Enterprise, Cisco, and CommScope, has journeyed with the five-star hotel, and will continue to work hand in hand to meet its needs and its clients’ through technology-enabled business services and solutions. This is the lifelong commitment of Trends.
Whatever your business is and however you envision success, Email info@trends.com.ph to know more.
92
you a lot about the various systems and different operations,” says Scott. “Having an understanding of how it all works and is integrated has assisted me with a broad knowledge and very deep understanding of each system needed for an integrated resort.”
EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY Having helped to oversee Okada’s
“ You shouldn’t just deploy technology for the sake of having technology” — Dries Scott, Chief Technology Officer, Okada Manila
rise from the ground up, Scott has watched as technology has become an increasingly important tool. “With
an escape through its popular gaming
the guest in mind, our implemented
facilities which boast 500 table games
systems start from the moment a guest
and 3,000 electronic gaming ma-
drives into the property. The first thing
chines. With the task of implementing
that they will experience is the car
technology considered a key priority to
park management system and parking
Okada, Scott points out how vital it is to
guidance system guiding the guest
keep up with the latest developments.
where to park the car,” he explains.
“We’re very much focused on the tech-
“As the guest transitions through an
nology of today – not yesterday. 90%
integrated resort, they are exposed to
of our company is actually virtualised
lots of user interfaces and different
as we move towards virtualization, not
systems that can be interacted with.
just from a data centre perspective but
Our portfolio’s quite big — typically
also from a personal computer point
a large integrated resort has over 100
of view” he says. “One of the most
different systems.”
advanced user interfaces that we’ve
Located close to the beautiful,
implemented has been produced by
recently revamped Manila Bay in the
a company called Paragon Digital
Philippines, the resort offers guests
Lifestyle. They’ve allowed us to implea si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
93
95
ment a user interface in the room that
to engage with guests in a better way
has seen a tablet based in every hotel
than ever before. We’ve diversified
room. The tablet is the controlling point
our languages so that our technology
for the user to control all features in the
can be tailored for each specific guest,
room such as operating the TV, brows-
regardless of the language they speak,”
ing the internet and opening or closing
he explains. “It allows us to guide the
the curtains. The tablet really becomes
guests with specific language require-
the portal for the guest in the room to
ments to the staff member that most
interact with the rest of the room.”
suits their needs. For example, if we
Operating with a firm customer-
were to find a guest in a room that
centric approach, Scott understands
speaks Mandarin, we would know
the importance of putting guests at
that they speak Mandarin based on
the centre of every decision Okada
the preference selection when they
makes. “We’re very focused on how
check into the room, which means that a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
OKADA MANILA
2008
Year founded
7,000+
Approximate number of employees
96
JUNE 2019
97
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
Millions of data points. A singular vision. Data Visionairies Wanted Data - centric businesses are deciding the future. NetApp has a whole new approach to data so you can unleash its full potential and realize your vision.
For inquiries please call or email :
Sales@wsiphil.com.ph
+63 2 858 5555
www.wordtext.com.ph
TIM gets I.T. done Total Information Management (TIM) Corporation specializes in delivering business and I.T. solutions that enable various organizations to achieve optimum performance. The pioneer in providing business continuity services, TIM today progressively transforms it's services aligned to the latest industry trends and demands. Customer Success is our Passion.
HEAD OFFICE Tel. Nos. (+632) 857 1846 Fax Nos. (+632) 857 1808
WWW.TIMCORP.NET
WordtextSystemsInc
O U R PA R T N E R S
Paragon Digital Lifestyle “Paragon Digital Lifestyle has allowed us to implement a user interface in the room that has seen a tablet based in every hotel room. The tablet is the controlling point for the user to control all features in the room such as operating the TV, browsing the internet and opening or closing the curtains. The tablet really becomes the portal for the guest in the room to interact with the rest of the room.”
Trends Group “Trends Group helps to assist us in the installation of our entire network, from cabling to supply, connection and configuration of switches on both Campus & Data Center networks.”
HP Philippines “HP Philippines supplies us with our enterprise printing platform which has considerably saved cost on improving reduction of printing waste, reporting usage and accountability and access controls to printers.”
TIM Corporation “TIM Corporation are one of our main infrastructure
suppliers & integrators of our data center environment.”
FusionEx “FusionEx helped us to develop and customize a fully integrated leading-edge Casino Management System assisting in the tables, cage & marketing program play operations.”
Palo Alto Networks “Palo Alto Networks helped to assist us and supply the implementation of our physical and virtualized Firewall requirements.”
Cisco “Cisco helped to assist and supply the implementation of our software defined data centre network with their application centric infrastructure as well as portions of our campus network.”
Fujitsu Philippines “Fujitsu Philippines has been heavily involved in the implementation of many of our core network security components like Firewalls, SIEM, Internet Proxy & NAC.”
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
99
Fusionex Augmented Analytics
GROW YOUR BUSINESS BY HARNESSING THE NEXT DISRUPTOR IN ANALYTICS Explore all the ways digital transformation can help you make future-proof decisions based on existing data. Fusionex Augmented Analytics generates insights using the power of machine learning to accelerate the discovery of new growth areas and revenue streams for your business.
100
Learn more
www.fusionex-international.com
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘OKADA MANILA NOW’ 101
if a call was to come through from the
technology for the sake of having
guest’s room, it would automatically be
technology. It’s crucial to have an end
diverted to the most appropriate staff
objective of what you want to achieve
member to assist in the language that
in mind before implementing any tech-
suits the guest.”
nology. It’s been a journey because we
With all companies encouraged to
started with just English-only plat-
adopt an increasing level of technol-
forms but soon realised that a lot of the
ogy to enhance their services, Scott
guests were frustrated because they
believes it has become essential to
couldn’t engage with the technology
ensure there is a clear strategy in
on our English version. This encour-
mind when introducing new technol-
aged us to transition our guest inter-
ogy. “Whatever you want to implement
faces into becoming multi-lingual plat-
should have a purpose and goal,” ex-
forms that enable us to engage with
plains Scott. “You shouldn’t just deploy
the guests better, quicker and without a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
103
our staff needing to communicate in
developed a number of important
many different languages. Ultimately, it
partnerships to accelerate its growth.
creates a better user experience which
The firm established key strategic
enables us to focus more on innova-
relations with Trends Group, HP
tion and entertainment activities which
Philippines, TIM Corporation, Paragon
in turn allows us to improve our guests’
Digital Lifestyle, Palo Alto Networks,
experience at Okada Manila overall.”
TIM Corporation, Fusionex, Cisco and Fujitsu Philippines. Scott believes that
ESTABLISHING KEY PARTNERSHIPS
a good partnership should be mutually
In order to help achieve success in
beneficial with both companies willing
the industry, Okada has formed and
to make it work. “When we’re looking a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
THE WORLD’S MOST EXPERIENCED DATA PROTECTION EXPERTS Arcserve provides exceptional solutions to protect the priceless digital assets (Purpose) of midsized and enterprise businesses (Audience) in need of full scale, comprehensive data protection – because only Arcserve has the experience and proven innovation to solve for any data protection need (Core Attributes).
F RE E TRIA L
LEARN M OR E ⟶
Sales enquiries: PresalesAP@arcserve.com Support: 180019120005
TIM gets I.T. done Total Information Management (TIM) Corporation specializes in delivering business and I.T. solutions that enable various organizations to achieve optimum performance. The pioneer in providing business continuity services, TIM today progressively transforms it's services aligned to the latest industry trends and demands. Customer Success is our Passion.
HEAD OFFICE Tel. Nos. (+632) 857 1846 Fax Nos. (+632) 857 1808
WWW.TIMCORP.NET
105
at a new partnership, we’re looking for
the company to adapt to the latest de-
people that are energised, creative and
velopments. “Sustaining success into
willing to work with us to help deliver
the future is a matter of evolving and
our dreams and wishes. It’s important
staying updated with the latest direc-
to have the drive, will and presence.
tions of the world and the economies,”
A good partner is a company that
he says. “We need to keep up with the
stays there and always checks up on
different generations in order to con-
you to make sure that everything’s as
tinue to be successful. All the different
it should be. These are the long term
students that are coming out of school
relationships and partnerships that
and university are growing up with
we want to have.”
a different age of technology. They’re
Scott points out how critical it is for
used to smartphones and tablets so a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
Between hope and possible there’s a bridge. There from the beginning to where we stand today. And to where we will go from here. One company. One promise. If you can imagine it, we will build the bridge to get you there.
107
it’s up to us to transition our services to meet the latest trends, because if you don’t, you start trailing the competition.”
FUTURE PLANS With an eye on the future of Okada Manila, Scott has clear ideas of how his company can continue to expand during 2019 and beyond. “Today, we’re already running a completely paperless slot gaming operations and we will continue to strive towards digitization of all areas of our business.
“ We’ve diversified our languages so that our technology can be tailored for each specific guest” — Dries Scott, Chief Technology Officer, Okada Manila
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
OKADA MANILA
Changing Business Changing Lives
Fujitsu Cloud
shaping tomorrow with you
A Platform for Human-Centric Intelligent Society Empowering business and social innovation Transparency on spend Balancing strong and eventual consistency
fpi.marketing@ph.fujitsu.com | www.fujistu.com/ph/ (+632) 841 8488
Fujitsu has over 100 Data centres worldwide and brings this technology to our local cloud in the Philippines.
109 This year alone, we’ve got more than
trends and technologies but only if we
100 different projects that we’re
harness that technology in the right
working on and many challenges that
way. Building the right partnerships
we intend to overcome”, he summa-
and hiring the right people to help us
rises. “Our key driver is to always ask
achieve a digitised future is of key
the question: how can we attract more
importance to our success.”
guests? In what ways can we bring more people to the property and give them an experience that they want to remember? If you create a memorable experience then people tend to come back because they enjoyed it. That’s what we want to achieve on a consistent basis. In order to do that, it’s important we embrace the latest a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
110
naked Retreats: spearheading sustainability in the Asian hospitality market WRITTEN BY
LAURA MULLAN PRODUCED BY
NATHAN HOLMES
JUNE 2019
111
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
N A K E D R E T R E AT S
112
Nestled in the hilltops of Zhejiang Province, China, naked Retreats is helping guests reconnect with nature through a sustainable approach
F
or those wanting to relax, switch off their phones and reconnect with nature then
you need look no further than naked Retreats. Offering immersive local experiences in the picturesque hilltops of mainland China, the 12-year-old hospitality company has etched a unique path in the travel world. Today, naked Retreats operates two retreats in Zhejiang province, naked Stables and naked Castle, with several more in the pipeline set to take the naked
JUNE 2019
113
experience across China. The compa-
Championing what the company
ny has high aspirations: it wants to
describes as ‘wild luxury’ – where
redefine how we connect with people,
visitors enjoy nature but experience
places and nature. “We try to take
luxurious hospitality at the same time
people out of their normal routines and
– guests can be sure of a one-of-a-kind
help them switch off their minds so
experience at naked Retreats. “You
that they can reconnect with nature,”
can ride a horse, for example, or pick
explains Paul de Vreede, VP of Sustain-
tea in our tea field,” says de Vreede.
ability and Strategic Initiatives. Even
“There’s always something to do.”
the company’s name ‘naked’ alludes
Yet, whilst you’re bound to have an
to the idea of connecting with nature.
unforgettable stay, perhaps one of
“In Chinese the name is Luo Xin, which
the most distinguishable hallmarks
means ‘naked heart’,” adds de Vreede.
of the retreats is their meaningful, a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
N A K E D R E T R E AT S
114 sustainable vision. Whilst the company goes above and beyond to provide a memorable getaway, it does so in a pioneering fashion which isn’t detrimental to the environment. “Sustainability has been a part of our DNA since day one,” observes de Vreede. Indeed, whether it’s reducing waste through compost and recycling or purchasing local produce, this green way of thinking is vital to the business. Energy efficiency has always been a priority for the hospitality industry. However, in recent years, it’s been afforded a new urgency as consumers JUNE 2019
“ We try to take people out of their normal routines and help them switch off their minds so that they can reconnect with nature” — Paul De Vreede, VP of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives, naked Retreats
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘NAKED CASTLE AND MASARATI’ 115 have become increasingly aware of the
systems which heat the soil and rock
catastrophic nature of climate change.
underneath, turning the ground
naked Retreats has taken this chal-
below into a heat reservation ‘tank’.
lenge on since its genesis, ensuring
“We collect heat from the buildings in
that the building envelope of its
the summer, store it underground and
retreats is able to preserve energy
then we retrieve it again in the winter-
injected into the building. “The building
time,” de Vreede explains. “This means
envelope is very important,” stresses
we re-utilise 70% to 80% of the heat
de Vreede. “You can buy high-tech
we use.” Additionally, the company
heating equipment but if the heat flows
uses LED lighting and thermal solar
out of the building through the walls,
collectors in a bid to save energy.
windows or roof then it isn’t productive.
For instance, at the naked Stables
We use several techniques to ensure
retreat, PV solar panels are installed
heat transfer is minimal.” Elsewhere,
on all 30 Tree Top Villa rooftops,
the firm is using geothermal borehole
saving 374 tons of CO2 emissions. a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
N A K E D R E T R E AT S
116
JUNE 2019
“ We leave it in the hands of the guest to decide how much energy they want to consume and reward them if they control their consumption” — Paul De Vreede, VP of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives, naked Retreats
It’s clear that naked Retreats has taken a forward thinking approach to its energy consumption – and it’s also getting guests involved. “With the naked Guestroom Energy Monitoring System, we allow guests to see how much energy and water they’re consuming,” notes de Vreede. “We leave it in the hands of the guest to decide how much energy they want to consume and reward them if they control their consumption.” naked Retreats is keen to champion water efficiency and as a result, it abides by the mantra: ‘reduce, treat and reuse.’
E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE
Paul de Vreede After more than 30 years in 5-star hotel development as a Project Director, Paul de Vreede joined naked in early 2013 when the company was still in its infancy. When de Vreede took over, he had to immediately make improvements to the most successful retreat in China. He was one of the early professionals with real hospitality experience, truly incorporating naked lifestyle, simple and sustainable, into every aspect. He has not only been critical in putting processes and systems in place to protect the company’s existing assets, he has been a true pioneer (in the naked style) in introducing cutting-edge green technologies to naked.
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
117
N A K E D R E T R E AT S
118
JUNE 2019
“Sustainability has been a part of our DNA since day one” — Paul De Vreede, VP of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives, naked Retreats
119
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
N A K E D R E T R E AT S
120
JUNE 2019
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘NAKED RETREATS – STABLES’ 121 As such, a daily average of 180 tons of water is biologically treated in each retreat and fully re-used for irrigation
2007
Year founded
and flushing toilets, with the remainder being released into surrounding wetlands for ecological balance. Sustainability not only defines operations at naked Retreats, it has also shaped the design and build of each retreat. For instance, naked Stables was the first retreat in China to be awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum status, the highest possible
700
Approximate number of employees
HQ
Loushanguan Lu, Shanghai
certification buildings can receive. a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
N A K E D R E T R E AT S
On top of this, the hospitality firm also uses local materials, traditional crafts and state-of-the-art construction techniques to ensure that all construction is executed in a sustainable way. “We use materials like structurally insulated panels (SIPs) which reduces heat loss, as well as autoclaved aerated blocks,” explains de Vreede, noting how all products are chosen for their aesthetic value as well as their reduced environmental impact. Recognising that guests may wish 122
to get from point A to point B quickly, naked Retreats has also ensured transportation is green by offering electric carts. However, de Vreede highlights that the company didn’t want to implement carts which use lead-acid batteries because they “don’t last very long and need replacing often”, which is not environmentally friendly. Instead, the firm adopted electric carts which are powered by “Ultra-Capacitors” – an eco-friendly alternative which can be fully recharged in 12 minutes and last more than 20 years without replacement or maintenance. Developing a sustainable hospitality firm from the ground up is no easy feat; JUNE 2019
123
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
N A K E D R E T R E AT S
124
JUNE 2019
it takes a deep understanding of the hotel world as well as a clear grasp of the complexities of sustainable design and operations. As a result, de Vreede says that the business has not only tried to employ local people who have an innate appreciation of the native environment, but it has also forged meaningful relationships with companies which share a similar vision. “We have several strong strategic partners including Jaga, who provide products like heat pumps, as well as Kohler who create water fittings, taps and showers which promote low water usage,” he says. These deep-rooted relationships have meant that every decision at naked Retreats, from the food on your plate to the retreats’ design, has been made with sustainability in mind. The Chinese hospitality market has gone from strength to strength in recent years, and with several new properties in the pipeline, naked Retreats has cemented itself as a key player in the market – but what is the secret to the firm’s success? “I think increasingly people are looking for more of a meaningful travel experience,” reflects de Vreede. “By going a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
125
N A K E D R E T R E AT S
126
“ By going to a green retreat, guests feel like they’re supporting the planet” — Paul De Vreede, VP of Sustainability and Strategic Initiatives, naked Retreats
JUNE 2019
127
to a green retreat, guests feel like
impact on the environment and
they’re supporting the planet. At naked
promotes maximum sustainability.
Retreats, we’re committed to recycling,
We welcome others to share this vision
energy and water efficiency and a
because it will only benefit the world.”
variety of other sustainability initiatives. We educate people and empower them with knowledge so that they can be more aware of how they live and treat their surroundings. “We feel we are making a contribution to the world by developing this kind of retreat – one which has a minimal a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
Foodstuffs North Island 128
harvesting a fresh approach to data through digital transformation WRITTEN BY
DANIEL BRIGHTMORE PRODUCED BY
MIKE SADR
JUNE 2019
129
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
FOODSTUFFS NORTH ISLAND
Foodstuffs North Island’s Acting CIO Ashley Colyer explains how the cooperative is overcoming the challenges of change management to harvest the benefits of a customer centric approach to data
F
oodstuffs North Island became one of New Zealand’s most successful brick and mortar grocery businesses thanks to
a string of market leading brands such as Four Square, PAK’nSAVE and New World. Established in 1922 along with sister co-operative Foodstuffs South Island, the cooperative’s owner/operator model has seen it become the country’s biggest 130
grocery distributor while remaining 100% Kiwi owned. The North Island co-operative strives to be: In tune with what customers, colleagues and communities need; In form to give customers what they want efficiently, sustainably and profitably; and In front – innovating to make sure New Zealanders get more of what matters most to them. Acting CIO Ashley Colyer recalls the fundamental strategic decision the co-operative made about the future role technology would play across the organisation: “Seven or eight years ago, IT was considered by many simply as a necessary cost of doing business, something we worked hard to control. However, our Board recognised IT was going to be the key enabler of our future success, leading to a seismic shift of our investment in technology.” JUNE 2019
131
Colyer explains that implementing SAP as the core ERP was at the heart of an IT transformation program which saw the replacement of all technology, from the network to data centres, applications and hardware. “It’s a true digital transformation from back end core platforms to customer-centric digital technologies,� he says, emphasising the positive development of recently deployed e-commerce platforms. Alongside this recent focus on customer facing digital programmes, a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
FOODSTUFFS NORTH ISLAND
“ It’s a true digital transformation from back end core platforms to customer centric digital technologies” 132
— Ashley Colyer, Acting CIO, Foodstuffs North Island
Colyer explained that the second broad area of focus was around internal processes optimisation. “We asked, how will we operate more efficiently and effectively? How do we optimise our supply chain? How do we reduce the amount of manual effort associated with core business activities? For example, with support from EY, we deployed new transport management and warehouse management systems that have really underpinned our supply chain transformation. We’re also three years into a program of simplifying the internal user experience of some of our core applications – notably the SAP platform – and moving away from user interfaces that are hard to understand and easy to get wrong, to applications with very defined purposes, built with the end user in mind. This makes it easy for people to do their job with very little training, essentially replicating the consumer technology experience.” Colyer also notes that Foodstuffs North Island leads the charge in New Zealand with the adoption of Office 365 which has seen over 3mn documents moved to the cloud. “That’s
JUNE 2019
133 unleashed our people from their desks,
address this using their SD WAN
the office, the corporate network and
solutions to optimise the available
even the need for VPN in many instanc-
network to all our stores and we’re well
es,” he says. “We can now work on any
progressed with completing this
device, anywhere, anytime. It’s been
enabling programme.”
enormously successful for us allied
The company’s positive approach
with a flexi desk, activity-based
to change management is providing
working environment. Of course, with
a platform for everybody at Foodstuffs
more functions moving to the cloud,
North Island to get on board with new
reliable and performant network
ways of working. “We have really
connectivity only increases in impor-
matured our capability across all
tance and this can be challenging for
business units. We deliver a constant
our more remote stores who have
and heavy program of IT change, both
access to limited bandwidth. Working
within Support Centre and stores.
with Riverbed, we’ve been able to
We’ve a multi echelon approach to a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
Driven by humans, powered by technology, business transformation for a better working world.
ey.com #BetterQuestions
Š 2019 EYGM Limited. All Rights Reserved. ED None.
Should digital transformation be on your agenda, or running it?
mobile platform for the organisation’s
with Adept Group, a local company
forays into retail e-commerce since
with fantastic Salesforce expertise,
2015. “It’s a really engaging mobile app:
to deploy the solution for our whole-
tactile, intuitive and with a great user
sale brand Gilmours. They were key
experience,” he adds.
to delivering a project that came in
Over the past year, Colyer highlights
on time and under budget. The impact
the hugely successful overhaul of
on the business was instant. Since
Foodstuffs North Island’s wholesale
we went live, sales growth has been
e-commerce platform, migrating to
dramatic for the business.”
Salesforce’s recently acquired
Colyer notes a huge shift in the
“CloudCraze”, a natively and purpose
digital expectations of customers,
built B2B e-commerce solution which
whether shopping online or in store,
had yet to be implemented in the
which is focusing the company’s
region,” he reveals. “We partnered
energies on building an integrated,
E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE
Ashley Colyer, Acting CIO Before embarking on a career in IT, Ashley Colyer worked as a trader on the financial markets in London. He believes that data driven role, focused on being able to digest and analyse vast quantities of information, gives him an intuitive approach to the data wrangling solutions technology can offer. “The shift towards a data driven and customer centric approach at Foodstuffs North Island has felt very natural for me,” he says. “You’re really looking at what the data’s telling you and then figuring out what to do next, so my previous career experience has definitely shaped my approach towards leading in IT.” Never one to get overexcited by the latest hyped technology his first thought is: “How do we actually turn that into something that’s going to be useful and meaningful to the business and our customers?” a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
135
FOODSTUFFS NORTH ISLAND
$7.7bn Approximate store sales
1922
Year founded
22,000
136
Approximate number of employees
JUNE 2019
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘WELCOME TO FSNI’ 137
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
ANZ’s Leading Salesforce B2B Commerce Partner
Learn more
The global B2B market is estimated to be four times the size of the B2C market. Salesforce B2B Commerce Cloud provides a full suite of tools to manage and improve the B2B customer experience at every touch point, which results in larger order sizes, reduced order costs and dramatically higher order compliance and accuracy.
Adept Group has market-leading experience of delivering successful Salesforce B2B Commerce implementations, and we are proud of the highly successful delivery of Foodstuffs Gilmours Online.
Our history in Salesforce consulting, integration and project delivery is underpinned by our unique Time to Value approach which lays the foundation for the success of our projects - delivering tangible benefits inline with customers expectations.
Contact us today to find out how we can transform your B2B business. enquiries@adeptgroup.co.nz www.adeptgroup.co.nz
“ We need to let what our customers’ data define how we operate” — Ashley Colyer, Acting CIO, Foodstuffs North Island
oped sophisticated AI models allowing our category managers to know what to promote and when to optimise the impact of our promotion and marketing activities.” Colyer adds that the fundamental shift currently being realised at Foodstuffs North Island is a customer driven approach to data core to the company’s strategy. “We need to let
change management with a team at
our customers’ data define how we
Support Centre whose raison d’être is
operate,” he says. “So instead of
to support delivery into the business
promoting something because our
across our 332 stores and help them
suppliers are giving us a special on it,
not just to adopt, but optimise the way
it’s promoting something because we
that technology is used. It’s a big
think it will resonate with our custom-
challenge with so many distributed
ers. Understanding that level of
users, so you need an efficient structure.”
granularity takes trillions of calculations
Colyer believes the grocery industry
so we need the sophistication of AI.”
is ripe for the application of automation,
For Foodstuffs North Island to
AI and machine learning as the vast
develop these capabilities, strong
majority of the business is data driven.
partnerships have been key. EY played
“Promotions, for example, knowing
an important role in the company’s
which to put on, when, how and to
ERP implementation and wider digital
whom. All of that can and should be
transformation, providing “intellectual
driven by data,” he explains. “Previous-
horsepower and capacity to help
ly there really wasn’t the capability
deliver critical large IT programmes,”
to process the volume of data to do
says Colyer of this important strategic
justice to that. Now we’re starting to
alliance. Allied to this, South America-
work with partners who have devel-
based Grability Inc has provided the a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
139
FOODSTUFFS NORTH ISLAND
Today, your customer touchpoint extends to the farthest reaches. We make sure that every time a customer touches your brand, your business outperforms to form richer, deeper connections.
Revolutionizing shopping on mobile devices Founded in 2013, Grability is a B2B mobile retail technology company that isn’t just an IT provider, but a valuable partner for clients, helping them reach more consumers on their mobile devices and desktops. Grability has built the most advanced mobile commerce solution for Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) retailers and was even selected by Intel as one of the 25 most innovative young companies.
Grability is experienced in identifying the right route to ecommerce success Schedule a demo
Contact us JUNE 2019
Blog
Drop us a line sales@grability.com
customer-centric digital experience. “It’s about where they get their inspiration, how they create a shopping list and how we can make it easy for them to find products in store. It’s also about the online shopping experience and how we make that as simple and as engaging and as rewarding as possible.” Like many digitally forward businesses, Colyer predicts Foodstuffs North Island will continue to use AI to greater effect. “It will mean we can start moving our people into significantly more value-add activities. Working out what
141
to order and when is not something a person should be doing. It’s completely predictable to a level that’s as good as, if not somewhat better than, a human could do.” He sees the future focus for
Island is to leverage IT and data to
staff on building a better experience for
serve customers. Allied to that Colyer
customers. “Instore, that may lead to
stresses the exec level focus on
fewer staffed checkout lanes allowing
simplifying the business: “Our goal is
our people to be out helping and
to reduce duplication and streamline
inspiring customers – it’s a big shift away
processes leveraging automation
from ‘processing’ towards ‘customer
and AI to create the headroom in order
experience’,” pledges Colyer. “It’s
to progress many more customer
about adapting your systems and
centric initiatives.”
processes to accommodate that.” The ultimate goal, and number one strategic priority, for Foodstuffs North a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
142
Innovation, sustainability and a people first approach: Hansen Yuncken’s recipe for construction success WRITTEN BY
LAURA MULLAN PRODUCED BY
TOM VENTURO
JUNE 2019
143
The Sydney Coliseum Theatre a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
HANSEN YUNCKEN
As one of Australia’s leading privately owned construction companies, Hansen Yuncken is at the forefront of change and innovation in the building industry
C
onstruction company Hansen Yuncken has continued to define the Australian skyline for decades, creating some of the nation’s
most notable landmarks and buildings including Melbourne’s Port Authority Building and the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA). Yet, although the Australian firm has a rich history spanning over a century, it certainly isn’t stuck in the past. Keeping 144
up with the blistering pace of change in the construction sector, the business is tackling each and every project with aplomb and an innovative stance. It’s for this reason that Project Manager Vanja Krumpacnik believes that Hansen Yuncken remains a heavyweight in the industry, even after all these years. “As the years have gone by, we’ve grown to take on bigger and more complex projects,” he explains. “We’re trying to be a leader in the construction sector by using new technologies which allows us to provide transparency to our stakeholders, clients and consultants regarding quality and safety processes on site. We also have a rich history; we’ve been around for 100 years and whilst we’re changing with the times in terms of techniques and technologies, our core principles and values have stayed the same.” Michael Gibson, Senior JUNE 2019
145
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
HANSEN YUNCKEN
“ With HYway, we can quickly and clearly identify what’s happening on projects from safety to cost”
146
— Michael Gibson, Senior Contract Administrator, Hansen Yuncken
Contract Administrator, also proposes that the firm’s landmark builds have helped to establish Hansen Yuncken as a reputable brand. “It makes clients want to be associated with us and helps to attract talent. We’ve always been an employer of choice,” he notes. Whether it’s in the commercial or community fields, health, entertainment or somewhere in between, Hansen Yuncken has created landmarks for sectors across the country. Take the theatre world, for instance: not only is Hansen Yuncken in the midst of redeveloping Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide and ‘The Hedberg’ Creative Industries and Performing Arts Development in Tasmania, it’s also in charge of creating the Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ, set to open in December 2019. With a sleek undulating design allowing for up to 2,200 guests, the Sydney Coliseum Theatre is set to be the first of its kind outside of Sydney’s central business district (CBD). West HQ CEO Richard Errington says: “With its spectacular architecture and design, Sydney Coliseum Theatre, West HQ will set a benchmark for the
JUNE 2019
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘SYDNEY COLISEUM PROJECT’ 147 arts industry globally and is something Greater Western Sydney residents will be immensely proud of.” Executive Director of Sydney
(NSW) and Eastern Sydney” The right mix of common sense, intelligent thinking and cutting-edge digital technologies helps Hansen
Coliseum Theatre, West HQ, Craig
Yuncken manage and govern its
McMaster added: “The theatre is
projects. It keeps people safe, allows
a stunning multi-mode venue that will
them to focus on what they need to
host world famous musical theatre
do and ensures their clients get what
and live music, family entertainment,
they want when they need it.
comedy, ballet and symphony orches-
Backing this human-touch is their
tras. Servicing the 2.2million people of
award-winning Information Manage-
Greater Western Sydney, the Sydney
ment System, HYway. This superfast
Coliseum Theatre is also expected to
virtual brain brings together shared
draw audiences from the Blue Moun-
knowledge, digital applications,
tains, regional New South Wales
software and processes as well as a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
We Challenge You
TO IMAGINE
“For every great piece of art which comes to life, there is a team of highly skilled artists behind the scenes� www.modernpaintinggroup .com Queen Victoria Building, Sydney, Australia
Frank Forouzandeh Founder & Executive Director at Modern Group
NEVER COMPROMISE... In a city that’s consistently being ranked at the top of the list of places to live in, and boasting of being one of the best in the world, there is no doubt that the construction industry is booming with upcoming projects that make their mark along Sydney’s iconic skyline. For every great piece of art which comes to life, there is a team of highly skilled artists behind the scenes, contributing in the making of such astonishing artistic edifices. Challenging traditional views of the trade industry, our vision is to raise the bar on quality and professionalism within the painting trade to a new level. Disrupting the market with a team of young forward
thinking individuals, Modern endeavours to introduce technology and innovation to a traditional trade industry. This separates Modern’s services from other industry competitors. This is where Modern Painting Group shines and delivers their outstanding work showcasing talent in what they do best. We Live by the fierce motto, “Never Compromise”, Modern Painting Group embodies the ease of project management and frameworks by utilising their cutting edge technology , knowledge, expertise and resources to offer practical solutions. Modern Painting Group only uses the highest quality workmanship and promises quality, which is
why our eyes are cast on the next big up and coming project with Hansen Yuncken towards refurbishing “Western Sydney Performing Arts Centre”, rejuvenating the life of Sydney West’s iconic landmark. Both Modern Painting and Hansen Yunken share an unparalleled vision of innovation and forward thinking that makes this project such a seamless integration of in-house management platforms by relying on new technologies, as well as adopting a futuristic way of thinking to ensure they are continually on top of the latest trends, systems, processes and commercial expertise.
HANSEN YUNCKEN
150
The Sydney Coliseum Theatre is designed to accommodate live concerts, banquets, theatre and more with fully retractable stalls seating best-practice procedures honed and
can’t live without it. With HYway, we
shaped across a myriad of projects
can quickly and clearly identify what’s
into a centralised hub that is accessible
happening on projects from safety to
to all 24/7. For over 8 years, HYway has
cost,” observes Gibson. “It’s all about
been the digital backbone to Hansen
collaboration; it makes it easier for
Yuncken’s project delivery. Intelligent
project managers to the CEO to see
and intuitive, it drives processes and
where a project is at through live data.
supports precise reporting and
It is even used to compile corporate
informed decision-making: it lives,
reporting.”
breathes and delivers certainty. “We JUNE 2019
On top of this, Hansen Yuncken is
also adeptly using Building Information
“Since NRAH, Hansen Yuncken has
Modelling (BIM) and Virtual Design
come a long way in its use of BIM and
Construction (VDC) which perhaps
VDC, We have adopted a range of
can be seen most clearly at the
field technologies on our projects
New Royal Adelaide Hospital (NRAH),
such as drones, point cloud scanning
completed two years ago. The $2bn
and supporting Autodesk products
hospital was the largest hospital
that are all accessible via iPads,”
project ever undertaken in Australia
adds Krumpacnik. “We utilise these
and the single biggest infrastructure
to monitor safety and quality and we
project in South Australia’s history.
believe it’s made our teams more
With such complexity and scale, BIM
efficient in delivering trade because
and supporting construction technolo-
we have the latest information at our
gies proved to be useful tools to collate
fingertips. Additionally, we’ve used
and manage the build in a virtual world.
4D programming whereby we’re
E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE
Vanja Krumpacnik, Project Manager Working for Hansen Yuncken for over a decade, Vanja is an experienced construction professional, having completed a range of hospitality, hotels and entertainment, Defence, commercial and industrial projects. He has been responsible for the delivery of numerous technically complex Managing Contractor projects including the HMAS Creswell School of Survivability & Ship’s Safety, introducing new capability without precedent in Australia. He was also responsible for delivery of the Sikorsky Maintenance & Operations Facility, constructed to meet Sikorsky and the Department of Defence’s requirements.
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
151
Axis Metal Roofing is a family owned business of 40 years. Axis is one of Australia’s leading Metal Roofing & Specialist Cladding Contractors who operate under a certified safety & quality management system. Proudly involved in the construction of the WSPAC project.MRCAA (Metal Roofing and Cladding Association of Australia) Multi Award winning company.
www.axismetalroofing.com.au info@axisbg.com
essentially adding a fourth dimension
Just as innovation has shaped
to a previous 3D model: time. This
Hansen Yuncken’s operations, the firm
means you can visualise the building
is also keen to promote a more environ-
being constructed in 3D over a time
mentally sensitive way of working. Today,
sequence which provides clarity on
the firm is part of the Green Building
the process and safety of the build.
Council of Australia and therefore, every
Essentially getting an insight into what
decision the construction firm makes
the site conditions and constraints
– from the choice of materials and
might be at a future point in time.
processes to construction waste
We’re modelling structures right down
management and ongoing maintenance
to every single element of steel or
– takes sustainability into account.
precast, and that’s quite unique in
“Hansen Yuncken are not just early
the industry.”
adopters of sustainable design, we 153 E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE
Michael Gibson, Senior Contract Administrator Michael joined Hansen Yuncken at the start of 2016, bringing with him over 13 years’ construction experience. He has completed a variety of education projects including government education, private education and universities. Michael is responsible for all head contract management and administration, to ensure project activities are delivered in accordance with the head contract. He has administered a variety of head contracts including PPP, Joint Ventures, Managing Contract, Design & Construct, Guaranteed Maximum Price and traditional Lump Sum Contracts. He is also responsible for management of all subcontracts and consultants, procurement, Building Code compliance and reporting. a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
HANSEN YUNCKEN
154
JUNE 2019
CO MPAN Y FACT S
• Founded in Victoria in 1918 by Lauritz Hansen and Otto Yuncken, the company has been in continual operation for 100 years • Today, Hansen Yuncken has an annual turnover exceeding $1bn.
155
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
HANSEN YUNCKEN
WITH OVER 40 YEARS’ EXPERIENCE IN PROJECT MANAGEMENT We are proud to be supporting West HQ as their project manager in delivering their 10-year $150 million majorworks masterplan. This includes their most recent projects; the 2000-seat Sydney Coliseum Theatre and 550 space multideck carpark.
Find out more
Follow us @maddisonproperty www.maddisonproperty.com.au PO BOX H109 AUSTRALIA SQUARE NSW 1215
Delivering high-quality fit-out and general contracting services across all major property sectors to Greater Sydney & Regional NSW. Contact us today : info@atlanticid.com.au
JUNE 2019
$1.bn+ Annual turnover
1918
Year founded
600
Approximate number of employees
Monash University Caulfield Library
actually helped to write the Green
out a rewarding career in the sector,
Star standard, a set of sustainability
Hansen Yuncken is the place to be.
standards for design and construction,”
Krumpacnik speaks highly about the
notes Gibson. “We also created
firm’s lean national structure that
a Council House 2 project in 2006
promotes an inclusive culture, noting
which was awarded the first ever
how everyone feels “important and
6-Star Green Star rating – the highest
highly valued”. “Everyone’s got their
rating you can get. It’s much more than
own responsibilities and no-one is
a tick in a box for us, it is a vital part
seen as above anyone else,” he adds.
of our business.”
“The Executive Management Team are
Today, the Australian construction
really approachable and there’s a mix
market is regaining momentum and it
of experience whereby we have
seems that for anyone looking to carve
long-term employees as well as new a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
157
HANSEN YUNCKEN
158
“ Sustainability is much more than a tick in a box for us, it is a vital part of our business” — Vanja Krumpacnik, Project Manager, Hansen Yuncken
JUNE 2019
cadets.” There’s also a yearly leadership course for employees looking to get the next steps in their careers. “Future leaders are identified and nourished through programmes and mentoring,” Krumpacnik explains. “That might be why we’ve retained so much of our staff: there’s opportunities to learn and be rewarded.” With a variety of projects in the pipeline, Hansen Yuncken is shaking up the Australian construction industry with a people first, innovative and sustainable way of doing business. “Looking forward, I hope Hansen Yuncken continues to increase turnover and chase these challenging landmark projects,” reflects Krumpacnik. “We want to grow and be at the forefront of technology drives. It’s what we currently do and I hope that continues.”
a si a .busi ne ssc h ief. com
159
160
JUNE 2019
UNITINGCARE ENCOURAGING INNOVATION THROUGH THE SUPPLY CHAIN WRITTEN BY
SEAN GALEA-PACE PRODUCED BY
STUART IRVING
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
161
UNITINGCARE QUEENSLAND
Michael Gillin, General Manager Procurement and Services at UnitingCare discusses the supply chain strategies UnitingCare is utilising amidst rapid industry changes
A
s an organisation that puts its people and the community at the forefront of its decisions, UnitingCare understands
the importance of leveraging modern technology and innovation to achieve success in the healthcare industry. 162
Michael Gillin, General Manager Procurement and Services, has overseen how UnitingCare has established and maintained a well-managed strategic function across the business. Having previously worked in management consulting roles at KPMG which took Gillin to Brisbane, Australia, from the UK in 2011, he joined UnitingCare in April 2017. Gillin believes that his previous experience truly laid the groundwork for success in his role with UnitingCare. “A lot of the work I did with KPMG was large-scale global business transformations and most of it was focused around procurement, supply chain and cost reduction,� says Gillin. “In a procurement role, one of the major things that you need to do is engage with suppliers and business stakeholders. With major reform occurring in the aged, health and community JUNE 2019
163
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
UNITINGCARE QUEENSLAND
“ I believe a good partner is one that’s aligned to your values and your objectives. It’s a company that’s proactive with you and not just providing a service”
164
— Michael Gillin, General Manager Procurement and Services, Unitingcare Queensland
JUNE 2019
sectors, UnitingCare has had to innovate and make the necessary changes to respond to change. I think my experience in supporting the organisation through that change has afforded me a better understanding of what works and what doesn’t.”
INNOVATION IN THE CARE SECTOR Earlier this year, UnitingCare held a successful Supplier Innovation Tradeshow and Showcase in Queensland, led by Daniela Kerr, Procurement Specialist at UnitingCare. The event exceeded expectations, with over 50
CLICK TO WATCH : ‘CAROLINE’S STORY: I WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN PEOPLE’S LIVES’ 165 of UnitingCare’s key suppliers attend-
UnitingCare’s network of hospitals
ing the trade show. “The theme of the
continue to excel in being recognised
show was sustainability and innovation
for their clinical expertise and use of
and there were lots of advanced technol-
cutting-edge medical technology.
ogies from different suppliers show-
Last year, UnitingCare’s Wesley Hospital
casing new, innovative products and
was internationally recognised as
services,” explains Gillin. “The feed-
Australia’s first Centre of Excellence in
back from everyone in attendance has
Robotic Surgery, one of only 10 hospitals
been fantastic and it made all the hard
worldwide at the time and recently
work worthwhile.”
opened a new Emergency Centre at
Having centred its expo around innovation, Gillin affirms how important it is to
Buderim Private on the Sunshine Coast. “In our aged, community and disability
continue to develop its services and
business units we have developed
facilities. “Innovation is absolutely critical
an affordable housing strategy and
to us and was a key focus of our expo.”
implementation plan, designed and a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
UNITINGCARE QUEENSLAND
166
JUNE 2019
implemented innovative programs to
to support people to life a full life
support children and families in foster
regardless of their circumstance.
and kinship care,” explains Gillin. “We
“I believe we’re an organisation with
have continued to provide expertise
a heart. I love that we’re an organisa-
to support clients transitioning to the
tion with a social purpose and it gives
National Disability Insurance Scheme
me a sense of pride to know what I’m
(NDIS) including the roll-out of digital
doing is contributing to something
applications to assist clients with their
very meaningful.”
NDIS plan management. From a pro-
With technology transforming the
curement and supply chain aspect,
way companies worldwide conduct
we’re interested in the innovation our
business, Gillin understands the value
suppliers can bring into our organisation.”
of implementing it into UnitingCare’s procurement strategy. “I think it’s really
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
important that we try to get an end-
As a not-for-profit organisation, Gillin
to-end solution from our sourcing
affirms UnitingCare’s operations are
platform to our contract and supplier
underpinned and guided by its mission
management platforms. We’ve currently
E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE
Michael Gillin Michael Gillin is a General Manager, Procurement and Services at UnitingCare and has over 18 years’ experience in driving operational efficiencies. Before starting at UnitingCare, Michael spent ten years as a Management Consultant for KPMG in Australia and the UK helping businesses transform operations and reduce costs. Michael also spent seven years in as an Engineer in the automotive industry with Jaguar Land Rover and MG Rover.
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
167
“ I believe we’re an organisation with a heart” — Michael Gillin, General Manager Procurement and Services, Unitingcare Queensland
169
got about three or four different solutions
success, Gillin reflects on what his
that work across processes and they’re
organisation looks for when deciding
not all integrated,” he says. “Data is
to embark on a new venture. “I believe
a bit of a challenge at the moment and
a good partner is one that’s aligned to
is critical for us to understand demand
your values and your objectives. It’s
so that we can support the business to
a company that’s proactive with you
be more operationally efficient and
and not just providing a service; it’s
competitive because the industries in
coming to you with ideas and chal-
which we operate are continuing to go
lenging the way that you do things to
through large changes so it’s vital that
help you improve.”
we work out where we fit into that.” Having formed mutually beneficial
After establishing important partnerships with Accenture and Bunzl, Gillin
partnerships with a range of compa-
affirms UnitingCare’s collaboration
nies in order to achieve and sustain
with the two companies are very a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
UNITINGCARE QUEENSLAND
171
“ Innovation is absolutely critical implemented a procurement hub, which consists of eight Uniting entities across to us and was Australia working collaboratively together a key focus of to deliver procurement benefits,” our expo” explains Gillin. “Accenture are our beneficial. “Led by our Chief Financial
Officer Peter Gunn, we have recently
partner and are responsible for running the hub for us. They’ve been brought on board to bring the organisations together and to run procurement and supply
— Michael Gillin, General Manager Procurement and Services, Unitingcare Queensland
chain initiatives with the goal of reducing costs,” he says. “Bunzl is also a strategic partner to the Uniting Care business; it supports us as one of our major a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
UNITINGCARE QUEENSLAND
2000
Year founded
17,000
Approximate number of employees
172
JUNE 2019
distributers that services around 500 sites across all of Queensland and the Northern Territory. It’s important that we partner with a supplier that understands our needs and the importance of getting product to our residents, patients and clients in a timely matter to help support their needs.”
LOOKING FORWARD Looking to the future, Gillin has a clear idea of where he anticipates UnitingCare to be over the coming years. “UnitingCare have devised a 2030 strategy which has given us direction around our key focus areas. We’ve got a clear direction of where we want to be, but to be successful it really comes down to people. It’s great to have strategies and become more digital, but it’s important that we don’t lose sight of the fact that we provide care, support and health services to people in need,” says Gillin. “The key is to keep the people we look after at the forefront of everything we’re doing. We are driven to making sure any investment provides the most benefit to our front-line staff and the people that we serve.”
a si a .busi ne ssc hief. com
173
1
3 2
4
5
Uncomplicate with TCS BaNCS for Insurance True digital transformation for insurers today means facilitating easy and simple transactions for end customers, intermediaries and service providers though self--service channels on any device, anywhere. TCS BaNCS for Insurance can help you turn digital disruption into an advantage, with its highly configurable and scalable solutions, powered by APIs and delivered on the cloud. Spanning life, annuity, pensions, property & casualty, reinsurance and health insurance, the solution’s rich functionality supports every event in the lifecycle of a policy. By driving digital channel adoption in the retirement business in UK, achieving 99.9% Straight--Through--Processing for 6.4 MN members, it has helped redefine end--customer experience. The solution has also transformed a large life insurance group in UK, integrating 6 business lines, 1,100 products, 13 platforms, 7 MN policies and 6 MN customers onto a single instance. A leading non-life insurer in India consolidated 2,000+ disparate branch systems and 17 lines of businesses onto the TCS BaNCS solution, with 5,500 concurrent users issuing 75,000 policies on an average, per day. Resting on a digital core, TCS BaNCS for Insurance solutions---be it conversational AI to guide and advise your customers, or our distributed ledger--based blockchain solution, Quartz from TCS---can help you expand your business, collaborate, connect and leverage the power of newer and richer ecosystems. When you select TCS BaNCS for Insurance, you are adopting our Digital First, Cloud First philosophy ensuring that your organization is agile and future ready. So, are you ready to Uncomplicate? To find out how TCS BaNCS can uncomplicate your business, visit https://www.tcs.com/bancs