Prof Glenn Parry - Lessons on Digital Transformation
We were fortunate enough to have been joined by Professor Glen Parry this week about the constant transformation of the digital world.
He is the Professor of Digital Transformation at the University of Surrey. He is currently involved in understanding value in digital markets, business models, application of Blockchain for good, and helping companies move from product to service provision.
His research is characterised by a focus on practical application, looking at process and leading practice which moves companies forward.
More business could be done on golf courses post-COVID.
Digital Innovation during COVID19
Glenn discussed a project he is part of with Bristol Business School and ‘The Power to Change’ – the Community Business charitable trust supporting UK community business. As part of that project they are examining how community shops, local mental health support and other services have managed to go digital as a response to COVID19. He talked about how these small organisations are engaged in co creation and collaboration, delivering new responsive digital services with very little resource. They will look for any useful learning from those experiences.
Physical Spaces Post- COVID19
Barclays CEO in news to say may not return 7000 workforce to Canary Wharf but continue work from home arrangements. Glenn talked about how this may change the future use of ‘Office Space and ‘dead’ retail outlet space, with it perhaps becoming the new ‘Meeting Space’. Anecdotal evidence from small firms already signalled they would not renew office leases and would rent suitable short term spaces e.g. Golf Clubs could be good venues for future business ‘get-together’s’.
Future of retail is mixed. There has been some winners with the move to digital, notable Amazon and pure digital retails. We also see the rise of food retailers (Tesco, Morrison etc.) who achieved growth via a hybrid of face to face and online offer. From China, we seek Adrian Cheng developing Victoria Waterside in Hong Kong, where luxury-meets-culture-meets-commerce, alongside a housing offer. This creates destination spaces and again new blended uses for work or meeting spaces perhaps?
We can also do lots before we physically meet. The analogy comes from the F1 pitstop, where external (pre) work is maximised so that the internal work done when the car stops, and value creation stops, is minimised. This draws on theory from Lean manufacturing – there could be a message here about how our research at front end informs a recruitment process.
Data
His Hub of all things (HAT) project has developed personal data accounts, which make the individual the controller of their own data, giving some control back to users. This helps with privacy and creates new data markets, and has created the firm Dataswift. We need more discussion over who should own our data and, are Facebook or NHS really better at holding our data rather than us?
Glenn advocates an individual holding their own health data and encouraged more discussion of health issues in the community
Prof Parry noted that Baroness Harding, former CEO of Talk Talk when a data breach resulted in almost 157,000 customers having their personal details stolen, is now leading the NHS track and trace programme. NHS has pursued a centralised system where individuals data can be held for 20 years. He is part of Share Trace which is an alternative decentralised (using dataswift) privacy preserving track and trace system, developed with colleagues from Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Growth of Digital Healthcare
Parry recognised the potential for strong growth in digital healthcare in the coming years. This will particularly allow for more people to be treated outside of hospital. Continuous monitoring and analysis will also allow earlier diagnosis.
He talked a lot about cancer treatment and immuno-therapies, and the OMMS project which develops on-body manufacture of cancer treatment though this will be about 15 years in the making. Glenn advocates an individual holding their own health data and encouraged more discussion of health issues in the community, which can been livened by Zoom – digital in play at every stage.
Blockchain
Then blockchain which is one of his areas – blockchain for fine wine supply chains (RFID tags in cork with QR codes), agri-foods, tracing authenticity of organic claims and fair trade credentials. Solutions for fisheries with modern slavery by utilising GPS trackers on ships in fishing as well as chocolate.
He is currently looking at cocoa supply and noted that this has issues of fraud, environmental damage and slavery. He noted that Cadbury commissioned a report in 1905 stating there were slavery issues, so this issue has been around for 100+ years. He is currently looking at the science that allows analysis of DNA and biomarkers in the cocoa beans which are unique to individual farms. If written into the blockchain, these could act as tracers linking final chocolate bar to farm of origin, providing a more robust system for assurance.
Digital Transformation
Blockchain can help fight against modern slavery.
Difference between digitisation and digitalisation? – Effectively digitisation is what you do to make some analogue data digital i.e. to digitise music or books. Digitalisation is the change you make to the business product or service. Academics distinguish the difference but in practice most people use the terms interchangeably.
In general Digitalisation is good! Because digital offers tend to be scaleable and more accessible. Its important to consider these two issues and how best to exploit them.
Technology – is it good?
Cyber Attacks - online working has increased cyber threats and exposed more businesses. Many businesses are vulnerable – consider what would happen if you lost control of your website, twitter or Facebook account?
Glenn quoted Kranzberg’s first law “"Technology is neither good nor bad; nor is it neutral". Technology is shaped and can discriminate. By the nature of who has coded and designed the systems, how they are used, where and why, it can be turned to good or bad. Technology is embedded in both culture and context.
So should we embrace digital? The two takeaways are: “Don’t be scared of digital” & ‘Jump! Don’t wait to be pushed”
Thank you to Professor Parry for sharing his passion and knowledge with our team. Moon Executive Search provide bespoke solutions for clients, using our extensive expertise and knowledge gained from twenty years of recruiting to find your perfect candidate. If you are looking to appoint a senior leader to your Board, visit Build Your Board to get started, or call us on 01275 371200. We are here to help in these unprecedented times.