Keynote SpeakerJames Hardy

Biography

Popular Talks by James Hardy

• Innovation within Corporates
  Why is innovation so difficult to achieve within corporate environments and what are the models where it succeeds? How do larger companies bring an innovative and a startup mindset to move fast and take risks, into an existing structured environment? The primary challenges revolve around blending elements of the existing... Read more

  Why is innovation so difficult to achieve within corporate environments and what are the models where it succeeds? How do larger companies bring an innovative and a startup mindset to move fast and take risks, into an existing structured environment? The primary challenges revolve around blending elements of the existing historically successful business model, with a renewed urgency and adaptability. James gives advice from direct experience of working in both highly innovative startups and also large corporates which have succeeded in maintaining a culture of innovation and speed.

• The Use of Data in Business
  Many businesses talk about being data-driven, but very few are. Why is this? The challenge is that most businesses either under-utilise data, or create excessive complexity trying to fit every aspect of their business model into a data point. The key is to ensure a balance between quantitative data and... Read more

  Many businesses talk about being data-driven, but very few are. Why is this? The challenge is that most businesses either under-utilise data, or create excessive complexity trying to fit every aspect of their business model into a data point. The key is to ensure a balance between quantitative data and qualitative analysis, and merge both so each enhances the other. A further challenge is that data can come from internal and external sources. Which is more relevant? How much weight should be given to each? James gives advice from direct experience in different industries on how to use data for insights, for automation and for competitive advantage.

• Ecosystems and the Future of Business

  James explains what business ecosystems are, giving examples from multiple verticals to illustrate the speed and success derived from such an approach. He explains why they are the future of business, and then ties this into a unified theory of business and an operating model for all businesses.

• The Future of eCommerce
  James explains how the Alibaba and other ecosystems operate and why they have been so successful. He focuses on how Alibaba has been able to move so fast, and disrupt so many industries, even those outside of its historical core areas. He discusses the company structure, culture and approach to... Read more

  James explains how the Alibaba and other ecosystems operate and why they have been so successful. He focuses on how Alibaba has been able to move so fast, and disrupt so many industries, even those outside of its historical core areas. He discusses the company structure, culture and approach to business value and relationships that has allowed it to become such a powerful force within China, and increasingly across the globe.

• Amazon & Alibaba
  James discusses the radically different approaches of these two behemoths and what can be learned from each. Amazon is focused on its customers but not its suppliers, and owns most of its own capabilities. Alibaba operates a Consumer to Business (C2B) model focused on all parties within its ecosystem and... Read more

  James discusses the radically different approaches of these two behemoths and what can be learned from each. Amazon is focused on its customers but not its suppliers, and owns most of its own capabilities. Alibaba operates a Consumer to Business (C2B) model focused on all parties within its ecosystem and has multiple business partnerships in all business segments it operates. James pulls the primary learnings from each and predicts how they will fare when they compete head-to-head in different markets.