Day One: 18, November 2024
Welcome to the TCS Summit Asia Pacific 2024 - The perpetually adaptable enterprise: Readiness in the era of AI and continuous change - coming live from the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning at the iconic Taronga Zoo in Sydney, Australia. Across the following two days, we’ll delve into a dynamic agenda that focuses on perpetual adaptability as the key requirement for success in an era of rapid advancements. Join us to explore the strategies businesses can employ to remain resilient and agile amid ongoing transformation.
2:30pm AEDT
TCS Asia Pacific Summit 2024 commenced with an engaging welcome from co-hosts Adam Spencer and Amy Duggan. They set the stage by highlighting the critical role of adaptability in an environment shaped by economic shifts, geopolitical developments, evolving legislation, accelerated technology innovations, and the urgent need for businesses to be flexible to their core and perpetually ready to digitally transform. Adam and Amy also highlighted recent innovations from TCS including the GoZero Hub and AI WisdomNextTM, along with the conservation mission of Taronga Zoo – the site of this year's Summit.
Our co-hosts Adam Spencer and Amy Duggan
Growth & the adaptable enterprise
Opening session with Girish Ramachandran, President - Growth Markets, TCS Asia Pacific
Following an Acknowledgement to Country led by Wiradjuri woman, TCS Sydney Marathon Indigenous Running Ambassador and Indigenous Marathon Foundation graduate, Hayley Pymont, TCS’ President of Growth Markets, Girish Ramachandran, opened TCS Summit. A compelling fireside discussion with co-host Adam Spencer interrogated the concept of a perpetually adaptable enterprise and laid out the case for why it matters more in 2024 than ever before.
Acknowledgement to country led by Wiradjuri woman
Girish revealed TCS’s vision for businesses that don’t see readiness as a final destination, but rather as a state of constant evolution, powered by AI, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and digital sustainability.
Net zero still a high priority
While the possibilities for AI are exciting, “we also need to consider the environmental impact. Data centres used to power the AI revolution will soon make up six to eight percent of the world's carbon," he added.
TCS’ dedication to achieving net zero by 2045 and broader mission around sustainability was a key element of the discussion. Girish highlighted that hosting TCS Summit at Taronga Zoo will see every dollar spent put towards its critical work around conservation and biodiversity. He also noted that the Summit is a carbon-neutral event thanks to the TCS Zero Carbon Platform, which is designed to help organisations monitor and manage their carbon footprints through AI and data analytics—an essential tool as sustainability remains a top business priority and a core theme of the event’s agenda.
The regional and geopolitical perspective
The regional perspective on the issues of the moment was a key topic, with Girish sharing his thoughts some of the greatest challenges for business, including a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape, a shift towards nationalism, the challenges of the energy transition and a growing middle class.
The discussion concluded by reinforcing TCS’s commitment to helping businesses prepare for a future defined by accelerated change, through a blend of digital transformation and collaborative partnerships.
The perpetually adaptable enterprise
3.26pm-4.06pm AEDT
CEO Keynote Speech
A warm welcome was extended by TCS Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, K. Krithivasan (Krithi). Delving into the rapid changes in AI since the last summit, Krithi stressed the importance of adapting fast for enterprises to succeed. To thrive in the new era of AI, it will be imperative for enterprises to achieve three things: the right technology foundation, a design for change and continuous talent transformation.
Krithi highlighted the success of clients using AI-driven solutions such as TCS AI WisdomNext, which has helped customers optimise their decision making around AI tools. By implementing tools like these, enterprises can navigate the key challenges and opportunities of new technology and artificial intelligence.
He also discussed how enterprises such as Rolls Royce, AEMO and Endeavour Energy have relied on TCS to achieve their net zero goals by using AI technology and automations to improve compliance and accelerate transitions.
Preparing the workforce and future-proofing supply chains
Lastly, the discussion turned to creating responsive and resilient supply chains that can handle impending disruptions and volatility. By building a fully integrated digital supply chain allowing real-time visibility and dynamic route changes, TCS has been able to help 220,000 drivers for a major retailer improve their inbound delivery process across Australia and New Zealand.
Speaking to the future of the workforce, Krithi emphasised the importance of ensuring teams in organisations are continuously transforming and adapting to leverage changing technologies like generative AI.
It was essential, Krithi said, that organisations provide training and upskilling opportunities to leadership and the entire workforce to help them better understand and use generative AI. One key outcome of this was establishing Centres of Excellence to drive a culture of continuous learning and training within the organisation for AI adoption.
Ultimately, the key takeaway was the importance of working with AI, rather than against it. By embracing it and adapting now, enterprises will reap far greater rewards in the long-term than if they resist the change in the coming years.
Preparing the workforce and future-proofing supply chains
Empowering the adaptable enterprise
4:08-4:43pm AEDT
Empowering the adaptable enterprise, explored the role of the board in championing an organisation's ability to thrive in a time of relentless change. Moderated by Haidi Stroud-Watts, Anchor of Bloomberg: The Asia Trade, the panel featured Michael Miller, Executive Chairman of News Corp Australasia, Song Hoi See, Founder and CEO of Plaza Premium Group, experienced Non-Executive Director, Anne Templeman-Jones, and Mel V. Velarde, Chairman of NOW Telecom.
Championing change management in an era of disruption
To set the scene for the discussion, Haidi asked each of the panellists to reflect on the rapid changes unfolding across economy, climate, and geopolitical tensions, and shed light on how boards in these industries are responding to these developments.
In this context, Anne Templeman-Jones highlighted that amid rapid change, it is the responsibility of the board to navigate change management. “Certainly, the change that has to happen at the board level is a lot more education and versatility", she added.
AI governance and regulatory challenges
The discussion then shifted to how AI is perceived and used in each of the panellist's industry, with Michael explaining how AI is used as a tool but not a replacement to traditional journalism, while Mel elaborated on the perceptions of AI among boards his industry. “We don't embrace chaos immediately”, he explained, “but we want to build a flexible, resilient human organisation that can respond to constant disruption as a default – not as a surprise".
Anne added her perspective that board leaders have an inherent responsibility for AI governance, segueing the discussion to the role of regulation and guardrails in managing the risks of emerging technologies. Michael spoke to the increasingly difficult barriers to entry in the media industry as a response to growing competition, and touched on how regulation is stepping in to address key competitive challenges such as the barriers to entry are becoming harder. “Boards are being re-weighted, and becoming increasingly hands on", he added.
Managing technological risks and opportunities
Mel emphasised the risks and opportunities of competition in the evolving technological landscape, explaining that "we belong to the largest interconnected machine that could commit crimes with the very same technology", and posed the question of the role in governance in protecting ourselves. "We need a trusted network alliance", he suggested, “so we can all work together and share information when there is an outbreak or breach to identify which technologies we can trust”. But at the same time, he stressed that “if we don't watch out, every vertical from mining to airlines, could see their own technology be used to cause disruption, or even make them obsolete".
All panellists underscored the need for boards to support agile decision-making, where governance should operate at the intersection of regulatory compliance and innovation.
Balancing governance with innovation
Song concluded with an observation about the importance of balancing investment and governance with a clear vision and unique value offering. "I see a lot of companies spending money on technology just for the sake of spending, without knowing the long-term objective. Longer term planning is playing a bigger role now. Tech gets you in the game but doesn't get you ahead of the game". He explained that the solution lies in businesses providing a point of differentiation and using technology to accelerate this unique market position.
The session concluded by highlighting the need for boards to balance governance with innovation to effectively foster a culture of adaptability within organisations.
Empowering the adaptable enterprise
Pioneering the adaptable enterprise
4:45-5:20pm AEDT
The conversation around future-ready enterprises continued with Pioneering the adaptable enterprise, which gathered CEOs and leaders from some of Australia's top companies to discuss why embedding adaptability into organisations is essential for leaders navigating today’s volatile business landscape.
Also moderated by Haidi Stroud-Watts, Anchor of Bloomberg: The Asia Trade, the session featured insights from Melanie Evans, CEO of ING, Damien Nicks, CEO and MD of AGL, David Koczkar, CEO of Medibank Group, and Clive van Horen, Group CEO of Colonial First State.
Panellists stressed the need for flexible leadership against the backdrop of dynamic change with factors like the cost-of-living, the energy transition and insufficient innovation in the health sector all cited as major barriers.
Using technology to remove regulatory barriers
The panel agreed that while technology is essential for agility, regulatory burdens must evolve to keep pace with innovation.
Melanie suggested aligning policy decisions with the needs of everyday Australians, emphasising that “data and tech will be at the heart of it," and stated that it is the responsibility of organisations to ensure customer privacy awareness.
David argued that health regulations, now outdated, need a complete overhaul. "We need to move from a fee-for-service model to continuous care," he said, citing cases in Northern Europe, where up to 50 per cent of primary care interactions are virtual, freeing doctors for the most serious cases.
Damian advocated for balanced system rebuilding in the energy sector, urging timely regulatory updates “to enable you to do what you need” and highlighted the importance of using customer and regulatory data to offer informed choices.
A values-driven approach will be key to attracting future talent
The panel also considered adaptability as a key attractor for top talent, with participants sharing strategies for fostering cultures of agility that are vital for retaining competitive advantage.
They collectively highlighted the need for organisations to become more human and values-driven to appeal to the next generation in the workforce. Melanie argued that there was a need to ''focus not just on physical environment but also the social environment'' and that businesses must become “more values driven and sustainability focused."
Clive expanded on this argument at a macro-level, citing that globally a feeling of "cynicism, anti-establishment and distrust" means that business focus must be on purpose to enable talent retention.
The session concluded with a final remark from Damian who suggested that it's important for businesses to build flexible technology stacks to meet diverse customer needs.
The main takeaway from the discussion was that businesses across industries must embrace adaptability, technology and a customer centric approach to navigate the complex challenges and transitions they face.
Pioneering the adaptable enterprise
Day 1 Recap
Here are the top takeaways from Day 1 of TCS Summit Asia Pacific 2024:
- To be a continually adaptable enterprise, business leaders must address the following steps:
- Embrace emerging technologies, particularly generative AI
- Design the organisation and workforce for continuous learning and adaptation
- Accelerate the energy transition towards net zero
- Build a responsive and resilient supply chain
- AI can help businesses unlock sustained value and keep pace with rapid change. Building modern data architecture, incorporating generative and predictive AI, business systems, and purposive agents, is crucial for unlocking sustained value. However, effectively harnessing AI is largely a missed opportunity with only 12 per cent of top ANZ leaders having scaled AI into production, according to the latest TCS AI for Business Study 2024.
- Enterprises can future proof themselves using digital transformation by focusing on:
- Leveraging sustainable technologies like hydrogen, virtual power grids and climate risk assessment frameworks to accelerate the transition to net zero.
- Improving customer and field force experience through developing platforms that connect customers in real time to provide better information, visibility and responsiveness.
- Establishing the right technology architecture and purposive AI agents to unlock sustained value from emerging technologies.
- Flexible, responsive governance is essential in a landscape shaped by rapid change and technological risks. Panellists underscored that boards need to adapt quickly and embed education, regulatory oversight, and resilience to navigate disruption effectively.
- Adaptability and a purpose-driven culture are key to attracting and retaining top talent. Leaders from various industries agreed that fostering agility and aligning with values such as sustainability and social responsibility is crucial for engaging the future workforce.
Day Two: 19, November 2024
Day two of TCS Summit Asia Pacific 2024 is set to deliver another day of insights focused on the future of business. Co-hosts Adam Spencer and Amy Duggan delivered a quick recap of day one, including the evening entertainment and close-up animal encounters, and introduced an impressive lineup of speakers and topics. They set the stage by highlighting the importance of resilience and adaptability in the challenging economic environment how we can use technology to address the energy transition and posed the ethical question of AI and its future.
Setting the stage for resilience and adaptability
The future reimagined
10:06-10:21am AEDT
To kickstart the day, Frank Diana, Managing Partner and Principal Futurist at TCS offered his perspective on how we can leverage learnings of the past to reimagine the future together.
With over 30 years of leadership experience, Frank tapped into his deep knowledge of business, societal, and economic evolution to share insights with the audience around how leaders can continue to evolve by reframing their vision of success into one that is centred on being adaptive.
What history can teach us about the future
Frank revisited what he called the “greatest decade of invention” and highlighted examples of major inventions that profoundly shaped modern society between 1870 and 1970. He explained how each of these purpose technologies eventually scaled up to a point where they created "system level change” and noted that while it took the invention of electricity 40 years to reach this point, that AI could achieve this in a much shorter time frame. “By 2040, we could be witnessing system level change, which will massively impact society”.
Going beyond adaptability and resilience to fully thrive
With AI primed to unlock productivity, and in turn, human prosperity, Frank calls leaders to fully leverage all that this technology has to offer – moving beyond adaptability and resilience to achieve a state of, what he calls, “ART” (Adaptable, Resilient, Thriving). “Thriving becomes a bigger piece of this story” during times of uncertainty, he explained, and "those that really leverage invention to create applied impact will thrive". According to Frank, unlocking a state of ‘ART’ where we can collectively harness AI's full potential, is less about intelligence or literacy, but being able to learn, unlearn and relearn.
Unlearning to making room for the knowledge that allows us to move forward
To conclude, he urged the leaders of today to undertake a process of unlearning to rehearse and unlock the potential of the future. “Unlearning means letting go of some of the knowledge and experiences that don' serve us very well today", he explained, and to “make room for knowledge that allows us to move forward”.
Going beyond adaptability and resilience to fully thrive
Future proofing the adaptable enterprise
10:23-10:57am AEDT
Building on Frank Diana's thought-provoking keynote, Future proofing the adaptable enterprise shifted into a more practical lens, outlining the key strategies enterprises need to adopt to evolve into an adaptable enterprise.
Moderated by Amy Duggan, top ASX CFOs Adam Campbell (Flight Centre) and Deepa Sita (Metcash), discussed strategies for building resilient and agile businesses in a changing landscape. "The destination can stay the same, the flexibility needs to be in how you get there,"' commented Adam.
How to adapt to a changing market
Adam drew from his 12-year tenure as CFO at Flight Centre Travel Group to share his thoughts on the consequences of implementing change without a clear view on ROI, especially in the volatile post-Covid travel industry.
He emphasised balancing macroeconomic factors with future investment: "Post-COVID, things rebounded quickly – a lot of organisations simply cut costs, but that means that when things improve again you aren’t ready for it. We need to invest heavily in customers, core infrastructure and people."
Leveraging technology and AI
Both panellists then dived into the applications of AI in their businesses. They argued it was important to consider sustainable and ethical AI and despite Frank Diana's modelling for the future, its limitations meant it should only be used to support the day-to-day of individuals.
Deepa explained that the primary use of AI in her business was in analysing data to make more informed decisions but keeping a human in the loop alongside appropriate guardrails would be critical.
Deepa commented, '"AI will be able to make recommendations but you will still need human in the seat.” Adam agreed that AI would be “a tool, not the answer.''
What will the future CFO role look like?
Ultimately, the panel concluded, enterprises need to be prepared to balance vigilance and perpetual curiosity when incorporating new and changing technologies.
"The CFO role is morphing into one where you are driving the business forward and not just allocating cash to resources,” Adam explained. He also encouraged CFOs to leverage this shift to help build future-fit, ethical and sustainable enterprises: “you've now got a really clear voice in being able to articulate what you think the best version of that company is.”
Deepa agreed and added her advice to leaders: “Don't leverage short term benefit for long term growth. You've got to make sure that you get the balance right”
Adam left one final piece of advice for CFOs to be authentic – “authenticity in a CFO is one of the most important attributes you can have.”
What will the future CFO role look like?
Engineering the adaptable enterprise
11:00-11:34am AEDT
Our next panel took a deep-dive into one of the biggest topics of the year – the role of the Chief AI Officer. Joined by some of the top leaders in the technology sector, Adam Spencer moderated an insightful discussion into how and why enterprises should cultivate collaborative ecosystems to harness the capabilities and deliver the potential value of AI technology. The panel featured Melissa Irwin, Chief Data, People & Sustainability Officer at Endeavour Energy, Melanie Van De Merwe, Executive General Manager of IT & Digital at TPG Telecom, and Dr Harrick Vin, CTO at TCS.
Weighing in on the Chief AI Officer debate?
At the heart of the discussion was dissecting the concept of the Chief AI Officer – a role that has become a buzzword in 2024. Melissa proposed that while AI will inevitably touch every role in an organisation, a senior strategic leadership role – such as a Chief AI Officer – is key to determining the best course of action for effectively driving AI transformation. Melanie agreed that existing roles such as CTOs and CIOs might “one day become the Chief AI Officer”, agreeing with Melissa's earlier remark that AI will "just become part of everyday business".
Dr Harrick added a unique take on this discussion, using an analogy to propose that “the role of the Chief AI Officer, if there is one, is much like a team coach”, whose key responsibility is “making sure that all these players achieve their true potential".
The discussion also examined some of the best recent use-cases of AI in the local business landscape and delved into the best ways to roll out AI technology in the workforce. Melissa and Harrick expressed conflicting perspectives on the latter, with Melissa Harrick prioritising a "people first approach” to generative AI while Dr Harrick proposed taking a "technology first” approach.
Tackling the ethical dilemmas of AI adoption
The conversation then segued to the ethics of AI adoption, with Melanie posing the question of how we can maintain a skilled workforce when AI is accelerating so rapidly. She encouraged leaders to ask, “what is AI best used for, and where can we preserve some of these roles that actually grow the industry?”
The panel also reflected on the ethics of striking a balance between enforcing regulation to mitigate risks without stifling innovation. Dr Harrick reserved judgement of the efficacy of recently introduced regulation globally, stating that “it’s not yet clear whether any of these will work or will slow something down.”
Meanwhile, Melanie raised the ethical dilemma of how to best store the copious volumes of data that generative AI necessitates. She spoke to recent examples of how TPG embraced a more heavy-handed approach to its data governance to manage the risks of generative AI, describing how, after initially deciding to 'switch off' Chat GPT due to privacy concerns, the company instead opted to modernise their data architecture. “We quickly realised you can’t automate a bad business process”, Melanie explained. "'Not only are you going to get the wrong answer, but you will also receive it in the wrong business context."
Future-fit organisations need leaders
Rounding out the discussion, Melissa Irwin shared how AI can positively impact cultural change and employee engagement. While she was quick to share the benefits of artificial intelligence, she also shared how AI could be detrimental to an enterprise’s progress, emphasising the need for companies to shift from ‘doing’ digital to ‘being’ digital. Melissa suggested approaching AI was best done “one bite at a time” – she noted that we need to teach people what AI is and to embrace it so that they take it beyond personal use and into their workplace. “You have to educate people, so they know the risks of using AI", she expressed. “People need to be part of the AI guard rails and be the human firewall.”
At its core, the conversation revealed that while AI is an inevitable part of the future of business, there is a need for leadership roles in organisations to catalyse this change.
Engineering the adaptable enterprise
Powering the adaptable enterprise
11:37-12:11pm AEDT
Turning the focus to one of the most critical issues businesses face today – the energy transition – our next panel delved into the way advanced technologies, particularly AI, will play a critical role in accelerating the energy transition.
In Powering the adaptable enterprise, key business leaders across industries throughout the region came together to discuss the role of emerging technologies in unlocking the potential of clean energy solutions and ensuring a smooth transition. Moderated by Amy Duggan, the discussion features Matt Cheney, Executive Manager Energy Transition at Western Power, Gordon Dunsford, Executive GM Digital at AEMO, Alex Heath, Head of Climate & Energy Division for the Commonwealth Treasury, and Mohd Yusri Mohamed Yusof, Senior Vice President of Project Delivery & Technology at PETRONAS.
What role does Asia Pacific play in the energy transition?
To set the scene, the discussion commenced with a reflection of what gives the region a unique position in the energy transition today. Alex spoke to the complexity of the regulatory and policy landscape in Australia compared to the rest of the region, while Gordon explained his perspective that Australia faces a "tyranny of distance" due to its isolated geography, presenting unique challenges for its energy transition.
Converting challenges into advantages
Drawing on his industry experience at Western Power, Matt Cheney underscored the importance of meaningful industry partnerships to tackle these challenges, highlighting that “the partnerships that are really going to make the most difference are the ones that are genuinely collaborative”.
Shifting the conversation to competitive advantage, Mohd Yusri shared insights as a key leader of the first oil and gas company in Southeast Asia about the benefits of being an early adopter in the energy transition. He explained, “being an early adopter is something that necessitates learning on the go. Aspiration alone does not allow an organisation to move forward. First, you need to galvanise the organisation, and secondly, you need to galvanise the ecosystem” to get buy in, he stated.
The role of AI and emerging tech in sustainability
Changing beat, the discussion moved to the one of the biggest topics of the year: AI, and its role in accelerating the energy transition. Matt Cheney spoke about how “in the short-term, AI is going to play more of a role of forecasting” and “advanced modelling to make better decisions”, while Alex added her perspective that the uptick in AI and data centres use will also put pressure on energy resources. To counter this argument, Mohd Yusri shared his optimism that technology will eventually catch up to a point where increased usage doesn't necessarily equate to sustainable impact.
In this line of thought, Mohd encouraged business leaders to critically question how much they data they really need to seek ways to reduce their environmental footprint. “You don't really need all the data", he proposed. “Understand what data is important so that you can be targeted and purposeful. Maybe you can reduce your energy, by purposefully understanding what you really need.”
Each of the panellists agreed that emerging technology plays a key role in alleviating this pressure on our existing energy infrastructure, with Matt adding that interdisciplinary "partnerships across the value chain” can further accelerate this process. He also suggested that this approach will make clean energy alternatives more viable for the consumer, countering Alex's argument that the solution solely lies on consumers adopting behaviour change.
To round out the discussion, Amy shared the key takeaways of the panel discussion, underscoring that innovative technology will be critical in the next chapter of the energy transition.
Powering the adaptable enterprise
Digitally accelerating the adaptable enterprise
12:14-12:48pm AEDT
Digitally accelerating the adaptable enterprise brought together tech leaders from a range of sectors and industries to explore how CIOs are leveraging emerging digital technologies to foster adaptability. Moderated by Adam Spencer, the panel featured insights from Nicola Dorling, Group CIO of Downer, Alex Jones, CIO of Powercor, Mirella Robinson, CTO of MLC, and Siva Ganesan, Global Head AI.Cloud at TCS.
Nicola highlighted data's crucial role in asset management, citing rail's leading use of real-time data and IoT, and energy's use of digital twins. She noted social infrastructure will face significant disruption, but it currently lags.
Alex addressed the challenges posed by the rapid transformation to renewable energy and the influx of new technologies. ''Everyone has a lot more data than they are using properly. The amount of data we’re gathering from customers is almost unlimited.’’
He elaborated on how Powercor navigates technological change while balancing core operations with the emerging trend of IT democratisation across business units. “We need to find a way that everyone can contribute to innovation and technology without being too prescriptive or too lax,’’ he said. Mirella agreed that taking on the burden of risk in technology should be “everyone's role".
Bringing people along for the journey
The conversation turned to the importance of bringing the entire organisation along the innovation journey. Alex argued that looking to people for insights will be key to overcoming this challenge; “a lot of people in our company love tech. We need to find out how people are using it and what they want to do with it. If you listen, you can find ways to make improvements.’’
Nicola agreed with Alex that it was more about employing adaptive leadership. She discussed Downer's current approach to consolidating data hubs and working to understand what AI guardrails need to be in place.
Mirella reflected on the biggest challenges MLC and the healthcare and insurance industries have faced and how technology has played a pivotal role in solving them. She went on to discuss the fine balance between honouring the privacy of users and utilising their data to improve their customer experience and outcomes.
“Customers have a high expectation that you are doing the right thing with their data,’’ she said. Especially given the volume of sensitive information that MLC hold, she built on Alex’s statement that data should be everyone’s responsibility. We are working to “cultivate a data culture that isn’t just a technology orientated one but is a responsibility across the organisation.’’
How will this work in practice?
Siva Ganesan explored the strategic decision-making behind choosing to build or buy technology solutions for businesses. He argued that large enterprises will have greater “bespoke requirements” whereas smaller organisations will be more influenced by cost factors which may lead to a subscribe and buy approach.
“Generally, it's a combination of a two, depending on how heavily you want to standardise or customise will be the decision.”
Creating the technology leaders of the future
The discussion drove home the crucial role CIOs play in creating adaptable organisations and driving exponential value through technology innovation when developing internal and external ecosystems.
The panel concluded by discussing misconceptions about technology leaders. Mirella and Nicola emphasised their holistic business vision and focus on transformation. Siva countered that " the coolness of the technology” shouldn't be a substitute for problem-solving.
Creating the technology leaders of the future
Adapt & win in a competitive world
12:48-1:16pm AEDT
Following the recent announcement that the TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS had become the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major, the first AWMMajor in the Southern Hemisphere, a panel of elite athletes gathered to share their experience of learning to thrive and win in a competitive world that is constantly evolving.
Featuring Olympic legend Cathy Freeman OAM, Wayne Larden, CEO of Pont3 and TCS Sydney Marathon Race Director, endurance athlete and speaker, Tim Franklin, from Tim Runs the World, and Paralympian and Wheelchair Athlete, Kurt Fearnley AO PLY, the audience buckled in for an inspirational sprint through the journeys and lessons of some of the movers and shakers of the Australian sporting world.
Moderated by Amy Duggan and Adam Spencer, the session kicked off by delving into the biggest moments of the panellists’ careers and the lessons they learnt along the way about turning challenges into opportunity.
Turning challenges into opportunities
The speakers highlighted the adaptable mindset and mental preparation needed to overcome marathon challenges, drawing parallels to how businesses must embrace constant change. They emphasised reframing challenges as opportunities – shifting your perspective from something you “have to” do to something you “get to” do – along with the vital role of community for resilience, akin to how businesses should connect with their customers.
Cathy Freeman shared insights about navigating change through the lens of her experiences as an elite athlete. Just as organisations need to be agile, adaptable and ready for whatever comes next, so do athletes. Cathy observed that when she crossed the finish line at the Sydney Olympics, she was not prepared for the reaction that followed – “I was prepared for the running, but it is the in-between that is difficult".
Cathy shared that her motivation came from a hunger to overcome adversity and succeed, with setbacks only making her more determined. “It is a spiritual and transcendent experience – you become the highest version of yourself. It is so much more than a physical pursuit, it makes you feel like you are above everything,” she said.
Tapping into the power of community
Shifting the discussion, Warne Larden discussed his perspective on the changing sports industry, noting that marathons can change lives and are great for the community, government, and businesses in Australia by promoting health and wealth.
He also highlighted how the TCS Sydney Marathon was going to transform the city, community and business in many ways with the benefits it would bring from the economic impact growing from around $30 million last year to $150-200 million now that it has achieved its status as the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major.
Wayne noted the Sydney and New York marathons allow people to dream of accomplishing something "impossible" and shape their marathon journey around it.
Embracing adversity: Lessons in resilience and growth
As a Paralympian with an impressive resume of achievements, Kurt Fearnley revealed the overlooked aspect of striving for success, sharing how he conquered the Kakoda track doing 18 months of preparation. Kurt said it was brutal, but the hardest thing was to stop. “You had the why and a purpose that was extraordinary", he explained, “and you just knew that as soon as you started that chain, it would keep going”. He highlighted that the collaboration and support of others is key just like it is in business.
Tim Franklin, an endurance athlete who ran over 26,000 kilometres across five continents within 576 days, shared personal stories about his journey with running. He explained how adversity is a key motivator for him. When asked what inspires him to train, Tim explained “I fell in love with being challenged and becoming the best version of me”. His guiding mantra was “to be better today than I was yesterday”.
Adversity and resilience were central themes, as panellists highlighted that overcoming challenges and setbacks is essential for growth. Their personal stories emphasise that in both sport and business, viewing challenges as opportunities, maintaining an adaptable mindset, and harnessing community support are crucial for thriving in an ever-evolving environment.
The panel concluded with a final announcement celebrating the TCS Sydney Marathon achieving Abbott World Marathon Major status, with Wayne Larden presenting Girish Ramachandran with an AWMM plaque.
Embracing adversity: Lessons in resilience and growth
Closing remarks
1:16-1:20pm AEDT
TCS Asia Pacific Summit 2024 concluded with final remarks from Vikram Singh, Country Head of TCS Australia and New Zealand.
Vikram shared a uniquely Australian perspective on the elements and approaches that make an enterprise truly adaptable, highlighting some of the regional differences that make Australian enterprises pacesetters in some aspects of the AI revolution, while slowing progress in others.
Synthesising key takeaways from across both days, Vikram shared his observation that "most businesses are looking at two dimensions – productivity and efficiency, and the customer and employee experience”. He deduced that the third dimension to consider in this equation is the "quality of data, security framework, talent and compliance frameworks”.
Vikram shared a final call to action for business leaders to create perpetually adaptable enterprises built to stand the test of time. “If we can have innovative leadership driving and building ecosystems, and foster partnerships which make us stronger, I think we can achieve the transformation agenda”.
"On behalf of TCS both locally and globally, I want to commit that we are invested in this market and in this region. We aim to build deep partnerships and support your journey of transformation which will be seamless, secure and successful".
Day 2 wrapped up with a lively and illuminating recap from co-hosts, Amy Duggan and Adam Spencer, a final thanks to all involved, and a parting message to the key decision makers and leaders in the room to embrace the exciting frontier of change and transformation that will define the years ahead.
Day 2 wrapping up
Day 2 Recap
Here are five key takeaways from Day 2 of TCS Summit Asia Pacific 2024:
- Balancing macroeconomic challenges with future investment – Speakers encouraged CFOs to ensure they were driving the business forward against the backdrop of rapid economic change. They underscored that businesses needed to ensure they are making investment decisions that can scale up and scale down.
- Role of the Chief AI Officer – The panellists discussed whether Chief AI Officer will become a senior strategic leadership role without reaching an ultimate consensus, except to determine that someone needs to effectively drive AI transformation.
- Who’s responsible for the energy transition? - Industry experts argued for the importance of strong partnerships across the value chain to make clean energy alternatives more viable, taking the burden off the consumer.
- Technology should be everyone’s responsibility - Considering the emerging trend of IT democratisation, speakers urged business leaders to find a way for everyone to contribute to innovation and technology without being too prescriptive.
- TCS Sydney Marathon becomes a major world marathon - Elite athletes shared their personal stories about reframing challenges as opportunities, while TCS celebrated supporting the TCS Sydney Marathon to achieve AWMM status.
