Several of the world`s recognised Information Technology visionaries will meet with South Africa`s top business leaders from across the economic spectrum next week at the country`s second annual CEO Summit.
During the three-day Summit, the spotlight will fall on the crucial role technology can play in a rapidly changing business environment in which innovation is critical.
Global leaders in the IT arena who will share their insights on differing aspects of technology with Summit delegates include Eckhard Pfeiffer, chief executive of Compaq International; Gary Daischendt, senior vice president of networking technology giant, Cisco; Victor Lawrence of Bell Laboratories; and John McCarthy, group director New Media Research at Forrester Research, one of the world`s top IT research organisations.
Dr Martha Rogers, one half of the Peppers and Rogers team which has revolutionised marketing in the 1990`s, and Martin Hill-Wilson, MD of Merchants UK and Paul Foster of Lifetime Business Group UK who put the new marketing paradigm into practice will also address delegates. Local speakers include James Fitzgerald, MD of EDS Africa, and Neil Jacobson, CEO of I-Net Bridge which is pioneering the new phenomenon of electronic media in this country.
According to Summit co-ordinators, Dimension Data, the objective of the event is to join select SA business leaders and government in a private forum to discover how an economic renaissance can be created through simple and researched principles of innovative growth strategies, remuneration practices, technology and strategic initiatives.
"The Summit will cover a broad spectrum of technological and business issues and their impact on corporate success: miniaturisation and the realisation of the global village; the communications revolution and its effect on the way information is delivered; the dawning of the consumer age and the rise of the global sporting spectacular," Andrea Spilhaus, Group IT Director at Dimension Data says.
Spilhaus points out that in the 1940`s, a senior American executive predicted that one day, a single mainframe would rule the world - but the microchip won. Today, the microchip is managing all aspects of our lives - our cars, security systems, telephones, television sets and PC.
"Even the computer is more than it used to be: from mobile devices to the network computer or dumb terminal, computerisation is taking on different forms and changing the world in which we live.
"At the same time, traditional ways of sending information from place to place have changed; the ubiquitous Internet means governments are no longer able to control trade, contact and information flow. Financial systems are being challenged as transactions occur automatically without the knowledge, or intervention of regulatory bodies," she adds.
Pffeifer - as head of the world`s largest computer manufacturer - and Daischendt, as a leader in the drive towards ever-larger, more stable networks, are well placed to share their insights on the new role of the PC, the dynamic of computerisation, and the impact of growing connectivity on business, with CEO Summit delegates.
Lawrence will reveal Bell Laboratories` projections about the next wave in social and business communications while Jacobson will provide an insight into how electronic media is changing the way individuals receive news, company reports and business analysis. And McCarthy, whose organisation is constantly monitoring the development of the Internet, will offer delegates advice on how to identify market opportunities on the Internet, capitalise on its returns while avoiding the Net`s `dark secrets`.
The Internet has also opened a new paradigm in customer service and communications, and delegates will have an unprecedented opportunity to hear the views of three of the world`s acknowledged experts in the field of customer relationships and giving clients what they really want - Forster, Hill-Wilson and Rogers - during the CEO Summit.
Finally, in light of SA`s bid to host the 2006 Soccer World Cup - questions will arise regarding SA`s organisational ability and infrastructure to support an event which is even more complex and diverse than the Olympics. EDS took on the challenge of managing the organisation of France 98 and Fitzgerald will share the company`s experience with delegates.
The CEO Summit takes place at the multi-million rand Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate on the Garden Route from June 28 through 30.
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