7 Secrets to Surviving in Times of Disruption

[jrineakter]

Technological developments are happening so fast that humans can no longer keep up with them. We live in an era of disruption and companies need to change to survive in this. How do you do that? And what can you learn from startups?

When I was a student, there was such a perpetual student living in my student house. He had been writing his chemistry thesis for four years when his supervisor suddenly told him that new scientific research had shown that the subject he was writing about demonstrably did not exist. We thought that was quite funny, but now it is reality. Every large project that a 'sluggish corporate' starts is outdated in five years at most. The reason? 'Singularity'.

Singularity: Technology is moving faster than fast
On the Day of Disruption and Extreme Customer Interaction on December 1, 2015, Yuri van Geest woke up the audience with the latest – but often already outdated – technology namibia telegram number list examples. In an earlier article about new technologies, various examples were discussed. The most frequently used statements are: 'already exists', 'has been possible for years' and 'already outdated'. Singularity means that technology will develop so quickly that it will no longer be possible for us humans to follow. And let alone for large organizations.

Day of Disruption and Extreme Customer Experience
Day of Disruption and Extreme Customer Experience

Speaker Harry Wientjens of Rabobank confirms this. He compares his cooperative bank to a supertanker. His optimistic intention is to change it into a speedboat, because only agile organizations can survive and compete in these disruptive times. Rabobank is working on 'The new normal'; an internal program in which initiative, innovation, short-cycle work, humor and sweat drops are central.

Innovaid toolbox
"10 percent of the marketing budget goes to innovative ideas. If you have an idea, you get the 'Innovaid toolbox', fill in a form while enjoying the chocolate bar that comes with it and you can go bananas. Ideas are tried out, thoroughly tested with customers and adjusted. The new normal does not just mean doing your job, but doing normal things in a very special way", says Wientjens. That means scrapping the word and the concept 'bila', managing in a different way and above all just 'doing'. The well-known ' Deming circle ' has removed 'plan', Rabobank uses: do, check, act. That checking is very important, especially towards the customer. Rabobank has its own 'user experience lab' for this purpose.

Exponential organizations and disruptive business models
Gerard van de Looi of DearNova indicated in his introduction to the day that the time of self-proclaimed authorities is almost over and the era of the individual is dawning. Unfortunately, companies are often still stuck in efficiency, rules and protocols and there is fear. According to trend watcher Adjiedj Bakas, it is high time for rethinking, thinking differently and reinventing ourselves. We need to invest in madness and question everything we consider normal. And of course, bring back the 'smile' to the customer; go for service and human values. Yuri van Geest's answer to this? "Become an exponential organization."

Disruptive startups
A number of disruptive startups introduced themselves during the seminar and may serve as an example for the prevailing order of companies. For example, there was Veloretti ; the maker and seller of the ultimate city bike that removes the trade between retail and consumer, enters into smart partnerships (such as with Amsterdam Dance Event) and interacts exceptionally well with its customers. Veloretti is very active socially and that has an impact on its customers. They post unboxing photos and act as ambassadors. Veloretti solves all problems for the customer quickly and adequately, always with something extra. Is your pedal broken? You immediately get a nice bell and a nice note. Veloretti does not work with standard customer surveys. But when the customer calls, Veloretti always asks further. That way they know the wishes of their customers.