The Big REthink

Latest Episodes:

Unlocking Innovation: The Power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Business Jan 06, 2021

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For businesses, data regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion is integral to understanding everything from the way we learn in the workplace to the development of new products. On this episode of The Big REthink, Kurt Merriweather, Vice President of Products and Innovation at The Diversity Movement, joins host Susan Campbell to discuss how companies can use this critical information to create value for their employees and consumers alike. Furthermore, they consider the role that bias plays in our decision-making, and the benefits of embracing a multicultural point of view.

How Are Sensors Changing Our Everyday Lives? Dec 23, 2020

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Once a relatively rare form of technology, sensors are poised to become a $240 billion global market by 2022, thanks to falling costs and their increasingly sophisticated capabilities. On this episode of The Big REthink, Eric Johnsrud, a product engineer at Panasonic Industrial Devices Sales Company of America, joins host Barry Ross to discuss the evolution of sensors, how they’re changing industries from automobiles to mobile communications, and their impact on efficiency in both our professional and personal lives.

How VR is Helping Combat Social Isolation at Senior Living Facilities Dec 09, 2020

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For too many residents of senior living communities, whether they're just moving in and getting adjusted or have been there for years, social isolation is the norm. Prolonged loneliness has a severe impact, not only on emotional wellness, but physical health, too. On the latest episode of The Big REthink, Rendever Cofounder and CEO Kyle Rand joins host Barry Ross to discuss the data on loneliness and health, his personal connection to it, and why he built a virtual reality (VR) company to help. He explains how shared VR experiences – from a trip to Barcelona to visiting a childhood home – not only let seniors explore the world with ease, but also pave the way for closer social bonds and, ultimately, better health for the long term.

As Consumers Seek Immersive Experiences, Tech Is Key Nov 24, 2020

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Thanks to the constant evolution of technology, the way we experience everything from trade shows to museums to shopping has become increasingly immersive. On this episode of The Big REthink, Cameron Uhlig, owner of Camagine Design, joins host Susan Campbell to discuss technology’s role in engaging customers and telling brands’ stories. They also consider the topic of troubleshooting and the challenges of forging human connections in an increasingly virtual world.

How Do Automation and U.S. Trade Policy Impact Manufacturing Jobs? Nov 10, 2020

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Automation technology and U.S. trade policies have long been blamed for the loss of manufacturing jobs in America. But is that enduring narrative based in fact? On this episode of The Big REthink, Panasonic Process Automation Business Head Gustavo Sepulveda shares his take on what actually leads to job cuts - and creation - within America’s manufacturing businesses. Plus, he and host Barry Ross consider the role of supply chains and what manufacturing might look like as some companies with operations abroad move closer to home.

Remote Work Changed So Much. But What Changes Are Here to Stay? Oct 28, 2020

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With much of the workforce continuing to work from home, every facet of office life has been transformed. From daily routines to the tools that teams use to communicate, companies and employees have been adapting en masse to new ways of working. On the latest episode of The Big REthink, Gina Tokar, Vice President of Operations at Panasonic Systems Solutions Company of North America (PSSNA), joins us to share some of the solutions that she has developed to achieve balance while working from home, some tips on how leaders can support their employees through this process, and the potential lasting impact of our pandemic-era approach to work.

How Android Is Making Inroads Into Enterprise Oct 14, 2020

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The Android operating system (OS) has long been synonymous with consumer-facing smartphones. But behind the scenes, developers have been using it to support enterprise businesses in transformative ways. On this episode of The Big REthink, Jim Ward, president and founder of software consulting firm Elite EXTRA, joins host Barry Ross to discuss how Android has become instrumental for creating large-scale, customized solutions. From its hardware-agnostic flexibility to its fluid integration into existing, proprietary software, he shares how the OS is making inroads and supporting businesses in new ways.

New Technology in Quick-Service Restaurants Is Transforming Customer Experience Sep 30, 2020

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As businesses across every sector continue to adopt new protocols and approaches to customer experience, the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry has been on the frontlines of change. In our latest episode of The Big REthink, Forbes and Restaurant Dive Contributor Alicia Kelso join to share some of the challenges restaurants are facing and the ways they’re using technology in the process. With safety, speed and accuracy among the top priorities for off-premise dining, she describes the tactics, like integrating third-party apps into point of sale systems, that are helping QSRs thrive now and remain nimble for the future.

A College President on How to Transform Higher Education for a New Era Sep 16, 2020

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Amid school closures and the widespread move to remote learning, colleges are racing to find new ways to connect with students. On Episode 31, Dr. Michael John McDonough, president of Raritan Valley Community College in New Jersey, shares some of the challenges that he and his faculty have faced and how they’re working to meet them. From hybrid modalities of online and in-person learning to finding new ways to assess students’ coursework mastery, he discusses the opportunity to upend how we think of higher education and how it can be more useful for students, industry and society at large.

Signature Verification Technology’s Role in the 2020 Election Sep 02, 2020

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Starting in 2016, approximately 25% of voters in the U.S. submitted their ballots by mail. This November, that number is expected to jump by 50%, posing major hurdles for counties that have traditionally counted ballots by hand. On this week’s episode, Fred Scherman, National Sales Manager - Scanners at Panasonic, joins host Barry Ross to discuss signature verification technology and how it can create significant efficiencies for election officials amid unprecedented numbers of mail-in ballots and pandemic-driven staffing restrictions. Through scanning both sides of ballots, batch-sorting and enhanced record keeping, Fred shares how the technology can help streamline ballot-counting and support elections in this new context.

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