Driving the Bottom Line in a Digital Economy: Trends in Global Business Development
On Wednesday, October 5, 2011 the BABC hosted Driving the Bottom Line in a Digital Economy: Trends in Global Business Development, a business roundtable seminar. The BABC collaborated with six other international chambers of commerce – the Chilean, French, German, Irish, Israeli, and Swedish – for this special program. Over 100 people representing the seven groups participated in the event.
This timely and dynamic discussion about issues affecting the way we conduct business around the world was a tremendous success. Industry practices continue to change and evolve at an ever increasing pace. Business leaders and professionals across all sectors communicate with colleagues and clients in other time zones instantaneously, and the age of digital information both makes people’s lives easier, and more complicated. Panelists from leading global companies: SAP, Amdocs, ARAMARK and Taylor Wessing enlightened the audience about the topic, discussing how business practices have evolved during the past five years, and how even greater exponential growth is expected in the near term.
The discussion focused on understanding the importance of connecting globally, and staying ahead of the curve with respect to the technology being used for e-trade and commerce, digital media, and business operations. The seminar moderator was Matthew Iacoviello, Global Vice President, Global Customer Operations at SAP, and panelists were: John Fisher, Vice President, Ecommerce at ARAMARK Refreshment Services; Lisa Modisette, VP Strategy Consulting for Amdocs Consulting Division; and Graham Hann, Partner at Taylor Wessing, (an international law firm, based in the UK, France, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Dubai and China). The featured speakers explored: establishing a strategy and platform to access the global marketplace; considering key issues when conducting and offering global e-business opportunities; creating effective communication strategies and messages to reach and interact with partners and customers; and anticipating global structuring and legal issues. Moderator and panelist presentations covered how to facilitate business practices in the global economy, customer-centric strategies, technology, innovation, ecommerce platforms, B2B and B2C, telecommunications and the customer experience, digital services trends, social media, and international legal pitfalls. The question and answer session was dynamic and entertaining, with an emphasis on social media. Matthew from SAP astounded the audience when enlightening everyone with a rather unsettling but nonetheless interesting fact – today more people are using handheld devices than toothbrushes! This is certainly a sign of our times, and an obvious indication of the importance of digital devices.
Special thanks to Ian Cross, CEO, I-SITE, and Marketing and Communications Chairman for the BABC who worked with the moderator and panelists to develop the program.
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20th Anniversary Holiday Luncheon
On Wednesday, December 14, 2011, the BABC of Greater Philadelphia hosted the 20th Anniversary Holiday Luncheon. Over 225 people gathered for the BABC’s milestone event in the Grand Ballroom of The Ritz Carlton, Philadelphia to celebrate twenty years of business prosperity, success and visibility on both sides of the Atlantic. This special event featured three remarkable speakers: Danny Lopez, Her Majesty’s Consul General and Director General Trade & Investment USA; Chrissie Wellington, Quadruple Ironman World Champion and current World Record Holder for the fastest time for all Ironman-distance races; and The Honorable Michael A. Nutter, Mayor of Philadelphia. READ MORE
The festive lunch was complete with the breaking of Christmas “crackers” and the raffling off of over 25 exciting prizes contributed to the BABC from local retailers, restaurants, hotels and spas. The raffle prizes went to the winners of the UK/US pop culture table trivia questions; the person who correctly Tweeted the answer to an online BABC social media challenge; and to the business card draw winners for two roundtrip Club World British Airways airline tickets Philadelphia/London, generously donated by British Airways – exclusive airline sponsor of the program, and a Cannondale Velo. City. Quick 5 bike, donated by Keswick Cycle.
All attendees greatly enjoyed Chrissie’s inspirational presentation, Danny’s remarks about the important UK/US relationship and London 2012, and the Mayor’s overall discussion about Philadelphia as an international destination for trade and commerce. The lively afternoon of networking, merriment, holiday fare and UK US Trivia raffle game was without a doubt, the party of the season!
Special thanks to lead sponsors of the 20th Anniversary Holiday Luncheon: British Airways, HSBC Bank USA, Philadelphia Insurance Companies, Philadelphia Triathlon LLC, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
The BABC 20th Anniversary Holiday Luncheon was covered by the press. To read the article that appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer, please click here: http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20111215_Business_strategies__Cross-pollination_with_the_British.html
To read the article published by the British Consulate-General: New York, please click here: http://ukinusa.fco.gov.uk/en/news/?view=News&id=708514382
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