Lauren Merritt

Vodafone

Thursday 4 October 2018
2.00pm - 2.30pm
Concurrent Session 3C

Presentation Title

How To Be Relevant In A Digital Future - What We're Learning About Culture, Strategy And Technology

Abstract

Few industries are immune to the unprecedented rate of change brought about by the digital revolution. Whether you’re a tertiary education provider, hotelier, government agency, family-owned trader or a global telco, the challenge of staying relevant is real and important.
 
Lauren will talk about Vodafone’s innovation journey and how we are preparing for a the next generation of work including:
• How to encourage staff to embrace change
• What are the implications of our strategy to become a digital telco
• How to contend with technology that is constantly changing​

Bio

Lauren is the Head of xone and Innovation at Vodafone - an NZ-based Innovation Lab and Startup Accelerator helping to bring the best startup and corporate ideas global. Previous to this she led Ministry of Awesome as the Chief Awesome Officer where they supported early stage entrepreneurs to take the first steps in developing their ideas for startups, businesses and social enterprises. This work focussed on building the Christchurch entrepreneurial ecosystem in a post-earthquake context. Lauren's passion is in supporting people to live a life they love. Previously, she managed the southern branch of StarJam working with young people with disabilities in performance, resettled refugees in the US and leads leadership programmes for a personal and professional development company.​