Tag: Microsoft Envision

Over the past year at Microsoft Envision, the digital series we co-produce with Accenture and Avanade, we’ve heard from business leaders about how organizations can persevere in a time of ongoing disruption, as well as what it takes to build agility and foster innovation.

Speakers this season have included former PepsiCo Chair and CEO Indra Nooyi, LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman, and Julie Sweet, chair and CEO of Accenture, along with tennis icon Billie Jean King.

The conversation will continue during the Season 2 finale on Tuesday, June 14. There we’ll be joined by Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, who’ll talk with Judson Althoff, Microsoft Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, about key themes from this week’s WEF Annual Meeting, as well as steps that business leaders can take to drive equitable growth and improve the state of the world.

During the episode, we’ll explore how leaders can prepare their organizations for the future with the help of emerging technologies. I’ll describe the industrial metaverse and the value it can deliver — as well as the importance of keeping the metaverse safe, secure and open.

Accenture Group Chief Executive and Chief Technology Officer Paul Daugherty will also share insights from Accenture’s Technology Vision 2022 report on the “Metaverse Continuum” and how the metaverse will remake the way we conduct business in the years to come.

In addition, attendees will hear from Kate Varah, Emma Keith and Toby Coffey of the National Theatre in London, who’ll share how they’re using mixed reality in innovative ways to transform storytelling and make the performing arts more accessible.

I hope you’ll take part in the discussion. Microsoft Envision is free to attend. To register, visit envision.microsoft.com.

Tags: Envision, Innovation, metaverse

This week, I was thrilled to take part in Envision, our brand-new digital series for senior business leaders, which we’re co-producing with our close partners Accenture and Avanade.

Hosted by Stephanie Mehta, editor-in-chief of Fast Company magazine, our first episode featured dynamic speakers and a conversation that centered on thought leadership topics such as digital resilience, the future of work, and how individuals and organizations alike can find purpose and drive momentum.

We also aired localized versions of the program, which allowed leaders to discuss business news and topics relevant to their region, such as the impact of COVID-19 on local industries.

To kick things off, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella talked with Stephanie about the evolution of the workplace, what it takes to create a resilient and agile business culture, and Microsoft’s embrace of “stakeholder capitalism” to serve not just shareholders but a broad community of stakeholders.

Satya was followed by Accenture CEO Julie Sweet and Microsoft Executive Vice President Judson Althoff, who shared the five questions that organizations need to think carefully about to transform in a post-pandemic world. I had the privilege of interviewing Christophe Beck, President and Chief Operating Officer of Ecolab, to learn how his company is bringing together technology and people to address the world’s biggest sustainability challenges.

In addition, Mitra Azizirad, Corporate Vice President of AI and Innovation Marketing at Microsoft, described why successful organizations make innovation a top priority and how to treat innovation as a platform. Finally, Avanade CEO Pamela Maynard spoke with psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais and Microsoft Chief Diversity Officer Lindsay-Rae McIntyre about the mindset required to succeed and how to use purpose to change things for the better.

Visit the Envision website to see our highlight video or register for the series to watch the complete episode or individual segments.

I hope you’ll join us for Episode 2 on Feb. 16, when we’ll look at five areas in which global challenges are driving exciting innovation. Speakers will include Microsoft Executive Vice President Jean-Philippe Courtois; Caroline Fanning, Chief Human Resources Officer of Avanade; our Chief Environmental Officer Lucas Joppa; Accenture Chief Leadership and Human Resources Officer Ellyn Shook; and Julia White, Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Azure.

Tags: business, Envision

Accenture and Microsoft’s unique partnership began in the year 2000, when the two companies co-founded Avanade to create a center of innovation for the Microsoft platform. Today, we truly believe there is no greater partnership in technology and consulting.

“It’s about bringing together the power of the Microsoft technology suite with Accenture’s industry know-how to really address the challenges our clients are facing,” says Emma McGuigan, Global Lead, Accenture Microsoft Business Group, “and all of that is powered by Avanade.”

Building on our longstanding strategic alliance to serve clients and deliver technology-based solutions, we are excited to share that Envision, Microsoft’s event for business leaders, has been reimagined as Accenture, Avanade and Microsoft present Envision, a digital broadcast series.

Accenture, Avanade and Microsoft present Envision is where business leaders can engage and learn from one another as they navigate change. This series will bring together thought leaders, industry executives, and members of our combined leadership team for in-depth discussions on the topics that are top-of-mind for business decision-makers today.

It is a challenging time right now for many organizations. As Avanade CEO Pamela Maynard recently put it, “There’s no doubt that COVID-19 has had both a devastating human impact while at the same time being a catalyst for change. Today, our clients are readying themselves for the new reality and looking to build organizational resilience and drive their growth.” If the past several months has taught us anything, it is that no business is 100% resilient, but those that are fortified with some digital capability are more resilient than others.

As companies look to respond, recover and reimagine their businesses for the future, there is no doubt that technology will be central to that effort. Envision is a chance for us to come together as leaders to talk about these challenges and share our own experiences in this period of rapid change.

Our first episode of Envision for business decision makers will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 15. Register now at envision.event.microsoft.com. We look forward to connecting with you and having you as part of this conversation.

Tags: business, Envision