Chamber takes digital conference online

With no end in sight to the dreaded COVID-19 health crisis, the business community is being advised to urgently find more innovative ways to carry on their operations.

This advice has come from Executive Director of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry Misha Lobban Clarke.

“The current crisis has disrupted the global economy and affected communities in every corner of the world. It has changed the way we live and work, while forcing our businesses to find new and innovative ways to operate. As our region continues to grapple with the rigours of this new normal, it is necessary for our business leaders to adapt and evolve their thinking if we are to survive and thrive beyond the current crisis,” she advised.

It is with this in mind that the BCCI would be hosting its flagship annual digital event with a renewed focus on some of the key pillars of digital transformation.

The November 13 event will be held under the theme Executive Mindset: Evolved Thinking for Business Leaders.

This year’s conference will be hosted digitally and will be tailored to provide the business community with practical knowledge and insights that should help to transform the thinking of business leaders “as we move with urgency to design customer solutions that allow our businesses to pivot in a digital-first era”, said Lobban Clarke.

With the understanding that “technology does not innovate, people do”, Lobban Clarke said this year’s virtual conference will highlight the need for outside-the-box thinking to position businesses for success and for businesses to survive in this new era.

She said: “The BCCI is excited to bring together both local and international experts, who will share their insights and expertise in the area of business innovation and transformation. The event will be spearheaded by the Digital Society Committee as part of the Chamber’s commitment to provide relevant and timely information that can help our members and the wider business community to shape the digital roadmaps being considered for their respective businesses. We are truly pleased to champion such important topics in what continues to be a complex and rigorous business environment,” she said.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore evolving and practical solutions that create a more seamless e-commerce experience, while learning more about new and evolving digital strategies that can help them to thrive in the new normal.

They will also receive a first-hand update on the progress made in transforming Barbados to a smarter digital economy as well as a look at some of the future plans from the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Smart Technology.

Pointing out that significant developments have been taking place in e-commerce internationally, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of eBanqo Inc. Charles Ifedi said local and regional businesses must adapt to stay afloat.

“Around the world, we have already started experiencing the future of seamless eCommerce; a future where payment is frictionless and not something people have to think about,” said Ifedi.

“We, therefore, need to be more adept in evaluating services and service providers and ensure that businesses and their customers enjoy these seamless eCommerce services securely,” he said.

Ifedi, one of the guest speakers for the conference, is among the architects of building digital societies in Estonia.

Other speakers will include Calum Cameron, CEO Digital Path, Estonia; Leslie Lee Fook, Director AI, Automation & Analytics, Incus Services; Senator Kay McConney, Minister of Innovation, Science & Smart Technology(MIST) and BCCI President, Trisha Tannis.