Globe Telecom’s 2019 Innovation Forum brings forward the need for digital innovation
On July 25, 2019, Globe Telecom issued in another era of digital transformation as it launched the 6th Globe Innovation Forum, “Digital As One: Co-Creating a Digital Globe”–a two-day seminar dedicated to training and educating guests about the latest technological trends and developments.
Held at the Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, the event was attended by esteemed international speakers, Globe employees, and members of the media.
Globe Information Systems Group (ISG), headed by Chief Information Officer Pebbles Sy-Manalang, hosts 6th Globe Innovation Month at The Globe Tower in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
The forum kicked off with a plenary session that featured opening remarks from Globe Telecom CEO and President Ernest Cu and Globe Telecom’s Chief Information Officer (CIO) Pebbles Sy-Manalang.
Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu shares how Globe leads and learns in the digital age.
It was then followed by specialized talks from SAP Vice President Timo Elliot and Salesforce Customer Innovation Director Jairaj Mashru.
SAP Vice-President Timo Elliot shares only three percent of organizations today are succeeding with digital transformation.
During Elliot’s discussion, he shared that only three percent or organizations today are succeeding with digital transformation.
“A key competency of any organization is the ability to adapt to change. Agility is absolutely the key to digital transformation. Innovation is about people, not technology. Digital transformation is a win-win-win situation for any organization. It improves customer outcome, improves profit, and helps make the world a better place,” Elliot explains.
Salesforce Customer Innovation Director Jairaj Mashru shares insights on what future workplaces need to thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0).
Mashru, on the other hand, discussed that the most valuable skill in this IR 4.0 era is not design thinking nor machine learning–“The most valuable skill is the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn. The most competitive people in this world are those who can do these incredibly fast and well. If they can do this across silos and disciplines, then they will be all the more valuable because they can solve any problem in any industry in any part of the world.”
Innovation is a requisite for survival
For years, companies have been told that in order to innovate, they must first know how to disrupt the digital industry. And according to Globe CIO Pebbles Sy-Manalang, the question is not whether you are going to be disrupted, rather it is when are you going to be disrupted.
“I think disruption is a given. It’s not about whether you’re going to be disrupted, it’s about when you are going to be disrupted. So, if we’re not prepared for that, then we will get left behind. So, it’s very important for any organization in any industry not just to look at technology and innovation as a different sector but really for survival–it’s the only way you can stay relevant,” she expounds.
Globe Chief Information Officer Pebbles Sy-Manalang visits the booth exhibits prepared by the telco’s tech and innovation partners.
Fortunately, the Globe Innovation Forum 2019 tackles how both employees and business owners can make the most of digital disruption. During the two-day event, guests can attend classes on coding, data management, artificial intelligence, and more digital-related workshops.
Anyone can get into coding
Although the idea of coding can be daunting for many, Sy-Manalang says that anyone can learn the process, even children can do it.
“If there’s one thing our coding for kids bootcamp really showed us is that the kids they’re digital natives. It doesn’t take a lot to teach them. In 3 hours, they were able to do it and they understand the language. And I think they will come to a point where it doesn’t matter whether you have a tech background or not, everyone will be able to code. Maybe it’s not yet a huge initiative today but I would love to grow it with the help of our teams.”
Through this forum, more people will be exposed to the idea of coding and apply its learnings to their current business operations.
Globe Telecom’s initiatives don’t end with the Globe Innovation Forum
Globe Chief Information Officer Pebbles Sy-Manalang tours the Globe Innovation Forum booth exhibitions of tech and innovation partners.
Sy-Manalang reassures attendees that Globe will continue to offer workshops and classes to people.
“The reason why we’ve stepped up the innovation forum from just learning sessions to running coding workshops for everyone is because we really want to emphasize that it’s no longer just the technology team’s job to promote technology and to use it. Because at the heart of it, Globe is a technology company. We all have the responsibility to leverage technology,” she says.
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