The Big REthink

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What Does Smart Clothing & Foldable Phones Have in Common? Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

From Tom Brady’s athlete recovery sleepwear to Ralph Lauren’s self-heating jacket, flexible electronics are gaining traction in the retail market. However, this technology is not limited to apparel – foldable smartphones like Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip along with a host of other bendable, wearable and malleable tech are also part of this increasingly popular electronics category. With their low cost and smart sensing capabilities, flexible electronics have the potential to generate a host of data and analytics that can be applied to other industries. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross speaks with Nick DeGaetano, General Manager of Strategic Business Development at Panasonic Industrial Devices Sales Company of America, about the use cases for flexible electronics and how this technology helps create a promising future for the retail industry and beyond.

How to Put Customers First in Last Mile Delivery Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

Often, the most challenging and expensive part of a product’s journey is in the last mile. As e-commerce retailers like Amazon continue to raise consumer expectations with faster deliveries and real-time visibility into order status, businesses across industries are turning to technology to keep up. However, technology is not a “one size fits all” solution – what works for some companies, may not work for others. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross speaks with Jim Ward, president and founder of Elite EXTRA, about last mile delivery challenges and how technologies like automation and data analytics can help to optimize supply chain operations while providing a premium customer experience.

Next Stop, The E-Mobility Revolution Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

Did you know electric vehicles have been around since the early 1900s? While EVs may not be new, the rising popularity of electric mobility, or e-mobility, transportation solutions is. Before Tesla, EVs were clunky vehicles that resembled golf carts in many cases. Today, EVs are increasingly popular with sleek new designs coming out from the likes of Tesla as well as traditional automotive manufacturers and newer startups. But e-mobility doesn’t stop with consumer vehicles – electric options are making headway in the marine and aviation industries too. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Barry Ross speaks with Tavis Szeto, Director for Mobility & Technology at Panasonic Industrial Devices Sales Company of America, about the rising demand for e-mobility and how manufacturers are updating their processes and products to keep up.

Uncovering Why CX Will Drive Digital Transformation Initiatives Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

Businesses today are so focused on integrating digital technologies to transform how they work and serve customers, that they are getting distracted by hype. Many companies are implementing new technologies and tools before they even understand if and how they will solve customers’ pain points. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, Susan Campbell is joined by Faisal Pandit, president of Panasonic Systems Solutions Company of North America, to discuss why digital transformation must be driven by customer experience to be successful and how companies like McDonald’s have seen success.

How Canada’s Nimble Deployment Cycle Is Reshaping Tech Adoption Mar 03, 2020

Show notes

Canada’s technology market is similar to the U.S., but smaller and more nimble. As a result, businesses are taking advantage of shorter tech adoption and deployment cycles, and thinking of ways to utilize new technologies to solve customers’ problems. However, adopting new technology isn’t always smooth sailing: Budget, skillsets and manpower can sometimes slow down its deployment, just like in the U.S. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Susan Campbell speaks with Susan Black, general manager of Panasonic Canada, about how businesses deploy technology to solve problems and what tech trends will shape the future.

What Is eSIM & How Does It Benefit You? Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how your Apple Watch connects to its data plan even though there’s no SIM card? That’s right: it uses eSIM! While one might think eSIM is mostly used in consumer electronics, devices and wearables, employees and enterprises also benefit from the technology. For example, eSIM enhances bring-your-own-device (BYOD) programs within businesses by untethering the workforce, allowing employees to work from their own devices and offering them the flexibility to toggle between a business line and a personal one. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Craig Jackowski speaks with Heidi Wilson, sales director of Mobile Operators at IDEMIA, about eSIM use cases and the future of wireless tech.

How to Use Tech Advancements to Boost Your Career Feb 04, 2020

Show notes

Remember analog TVs? It took years to transition from analog to digital cable, but today, new technology is changing the way we live and work at a faster pace than we’ve ever seen – and this is especially true for the cable and telecom industry. Now, with emerging technologies such as drones, artificial intelligence and augmented and virtual reality entering the workplace, installers and field technicians in the cable industry are challenged to keep up with the pace of these advancements. Fortunately, training and career courses allow workers to update their skills, and at the same time, help organizations fill vacancies from within. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Susan Campbell speaks with Zenita Henderson, vice president of marketing and business development at SCTE•ISBE, about the importance of reskilling the workforce, benefits of micro-training sessions and how employees can best prepare themselves for future career opportunities.

How Can CSR Foster Better Communities, Companies and People? Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

Today, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is increasingly part of companies’ DNA, but for Panasonic, CSR has been a focus since the company’s founding 100+ years ago. CSR programs serve the dual benefit of improving the communities they impact while simultaneously helping companies create brand identities that many consumers – especially millennials – find attractive. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Susan Campbell speaks with Faisal Pandit, president of Panasonic Systems Solutions Company of North America, about the importance of giving back through CSR initiatives as well as one initiative he’s particularly passionate about: working with rapper, actor and philanthropist, Common, through Art in Motion, a creative arts school based in Chicago. To learn more about Art in Motion and how you can help out, visit: https://www.aimchicago.org/.

What’s Cross-Pollination and How Does It Work? Jan 08, 2020

Show notes

What can a marketing team learn from a comic book writer? How can someone who studies ants help an airline with its boarding process? Cross-pollination, or the practice of introducing ideas from outside an organization or industry to spur innovation, will help your organization – and your employees – flourish. But how can executives implement cross-pollination in their own organizations? In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, host Susan Campbell speaks with Founder of the Big Heads Network, John Palumbo, about what cross-pollination is, how it works and what organizations can hope to achieve after implementing this cross-industry networking tactic.

Is Authenticity the Key to Branding Success? Dec 18, 2019

Show notes

As brands compete for market share, consumer interest and sales, each must find a way to differentiate itself. To do so, companies can take three critical steps: 1) Define their brand purpose, 2) Determine how technology can support it and 3) Communicate this strategy through creative storytelling. In this episode of RUGGED RANTS, Susan Campbell is joined by Larry Weber; CEO of Racepoint Global, founder of the Weber Group and author of several books on marketing in the digital age; to discuss the power of purpose-driven marketing.

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