Event | Stibo Systems CONNECT 2024: Flexibility, AI, and Community

Chris Colyar, CTO at Amplifi shares his insights from Stibo Systems CONNECT 2024, highlighting key themes like flexibility, AI, ESG, and the importance of experience and safety in business strategy.

Orlando, Florida – September 2024

I’ve just wrapped up my trip to Orlando for Stibo Systems’ CONNECT 2024 – it’s a conference that never disappoints, so I thought it’s only fair to share what was impactful to me.

The event was full of energy, productive conversations, and practical lessons. With a wide range of topics covered and valuable connections made, it left me with plenty to reflect on and some valuable takeaways to share. (Although the karaoke was a highlight, I will share my key takeaways from Stibo Systems and their customers to start...)

The stand-out theme for the event for me was flexibility, from keynotes to panel discussions, the message was clear: the companies that will thrive are the ones that know how to pivot and adapt. Easier said than done, right?

Flexibility was a key theme, so get your house in order

Uncertain times call for quick adaptability. When something works, you need to react fast and capitalise on it before the window closes.

  • You can’t sit back and wait, it’s essential to seize the moment.
  • Stay ready for emerging technologies that will disrupt the status quo.
  • The landscape can shift overnight, and if you’re not prepared, you’ll be left behind.
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Getting your house in order is about building the foundation to handle whatever challenges or opportunities arise. If your operations are streamlined and adaptable now, you’ll be in a better position to pivot. I’ve seen companies crumble because they didn’t anticipate disruption. You can’t afford to wait for problems to arise - preparation ensures you’re ready to act when needed.

Humility as a key to long-term success

Staying ahead requires adaptability, a willingness to evolve and humility to admit when you need to change.

  • What works today might not work tomorrow; the world is always changing, and your business must adapt.
  • Embrace new technologies and practices, even if they seem unfamiliar, because they can transform your business.
  • Continuous improvement is essential; success depends on how you prepare for what’s next, not past achievements.

Humility is about recognising there’s always a better way to do things, success is temporary, and improvement is ongoing. Stibo Systems and multiple customers displayed the vision that staying flexible and open to change is what will keep your business relevant in the long run.

Experience (and emotion) matters

In business, experience and emotion play a crucial role in driving success, whether it's for customers, employees, or stakeholders. At Amplifi, we’re big advocates that people will make or break any initiative, and that’s across the board whether you’re speaking to the C-suite stakeholders or end-users on the ground. A couple of key learnings I gathered were:

  • Seize excitement and use it to generate momentum toward your objectives.
  • Take initiative by leveraging your expertise to make an impact on your community.
  • Build trust through consistency and thoughtful consideration in all interactions.
  • Minimise distrust by avoiding frustration, impatience, and dread within your organization and customer base.

Fostering positive experiences and emotions builds long-term relationships and strengthens the foundation of your business. Trust and engagement will drive better outcomes and create lasting connections with all stakeholders.

Be Safe

In the rush to simplify processes, it's essential to prioritise safety and avoid complacency in both action and strategy.

  • Just because things are easier doesn’t mean you should normalise complacency. Don't forget the important things, be thoughtful, protect your data and protect yourself from difficulties stemming from your data.
  • Be thoughtful. A little extra effort today can lead to significant cost savings in the future.
  • Use data wisely, not only to improve outcomes but to protect your business and yourself from potential risks.

Safety extends beyond just physical security. It’s being proactive with your data management and operational practices. By taking small, thoughtful steps today, you set yourself up for long-term stability, preventing future risks and avoiding costly mistakes.

"Tell me something tech, Chris…" - AI

While AI remains a hot topic, the discussion has shifted away from hype and "magic" solutions to real-world applications and tangible benefits, and that was prevalent whenever the topic of AI came up throughout the conference. Speakers were great at vocalising how organisations can put this into practice:

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  • Automation is not just about AI; it’s about delivering value, improving experiences, and building flexibility into every process and task.
  • Setting clear expectations is crucial for success - considering the lifecycle, time, cost, iterations, and overall impact of any automated solution.
  • Utilise tools effectively by mapping out priorities and challenges, securing funding, establishing ownership, and seeking input from subject matter experts (SMEs).

In a session at the conference, a Stibo Systems customer explained how they’re using machine learning to improve inventory and staffing. It’s not about AI being a miracle fix; it’s about making strategic, small improvements that add up. They stressed the need to set clear expectations and avoid being distracted by AI’s hype. At its core, AI is just a tool, effective only when used with a clear plan, and this aligns with our internal research and the use cases we’ve successfully implemented.

ESG is still on the radar

While ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) may not dominate conversations like AI, it remains a critical component for future business flexibility.

  • ESG is still an active discussion, even though it's somewhat overshadowed by AI in the current landscape.
  • It’s a key factor in staying adaptable as new legislation comes into effect, requiring businesses to be prepared.
  • Continue to use ESG as an opportunity to evolve toward a more conscious and responsible execution of your business strategy.

As legislation and societal expectations evolve, companies that proactively integrate ESG into their core strategy are better positioned to respond to market demands and mitigate risks. ESG also offers a way to differentiate your brand, build trust with stakeholders, and ensure long-term sustainability.

Closing thoughts and takeaways

If there’s one big takeaway from Stibo Systems’ CONNECT 2024, it’s this: humility and flexibility are necessary in any business setting. The companies that succeed aren't the ones that assume they’ve solved everything - they’re the ones that recognise they haven’t. They’re constantly seeking improvements, prepared to pivot, and open to learning from their mistakes.

How can Amplifi and Stibo Systems help?

Amplifi’s long-standing, strategic relationship with Stibo Systems is rooted in a mutual ambition for companies to get true value from their data.

Today, we have one of the largest Stibo Systems delivery capabilities globally. We have over 40 combined customers, and our consulting team has been involved with over 150 Stibo Systems implementations.

As a Premier Partner -the highest level of partnership awarded - we are the best choice to implement, enhance, and support Stibo Systems' leading MDM technology. Learn more about our partnership in our joint guide Amplifi | Taking the next STEP with Stibo Systems.

Download Partnership Guide | Taking the next STEP with Stibo Systems

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