With this level of uncertainty, either paralysis or opportunity can follow. Rarely has the need for strong and inspiring leadership been more urgent amid such unpredictability. As Patrik Frisk, CEO of Under Armour and one of the conference presenters described it, everything has accelerated in mere months, and forward-thinking leaders are needed more than ever to address the impact of the changes that lie ahead.
John Chambers, Founder and CEO of J2 Ventures, added this sage advice to leaders on the subject: have the courage to paint a picture of how you want to get through the challenges ahead and find success in the future. Don’t ignore the fact that a downturn usually eliminates many competitors. This is when the next generation of great companies is formed if leaders are paying attention. The best technology companies of the future are likely being created today as an outcome of this pandemic.
I couldn’t agree more with John’s perspective. I believe that courageous leadership and the agility and resilience of entrepreneurs and other private enterprises will lead to businesses innovations that sustain their success and their nation’s economies. Right now, the next generation of great private enterprises is emerging among companies that have the foresight and agility to uncover the opportunities that may be lying just below the surface.
To explore these opportunities further, I will be pleased to share additional insights from the conference regarding hyper-accelerated change and the impact of the new-reality consumer in my next blog post, “Hyper acceleration in the new reality”.
We at KPMG Private Enterprise have always believed in the tremendous possibilities for entrepreneurs and emerging growth companies. As a longstanding strategic sponsor of the Collision conference, Web Summit (Lisbon) and RISE (Hong Kong), we welcome every opportunity to listen to and learn from founders, entrepreneurs, and CEOs and to share our own insights.
Collision from Home was another of these tremendous opportunities, and I’d personally like to thank all the participants who contributed so many varied and valuable experiences and knowledge.
I encourage you to follow our regular KPMG Private Enterprise series of blog posts as we share insights from across KPMG member firms on the impact that COVID-19 may have on your business strategy and operations, and how to embrace the new reality of a post COVID-19 world.