What can we do now that we couldn’t do before, thanks to changes in technology? That’s the approach that great organisations are taking to transform the consumer experience. And it’s not just the ruthless young upstarts that are doing so — we spoke to three companies founded by industry stalwarts to get their take on how to seize market leadership in a time of significant disruption.
Disruptive innovation is the catchphrase that defines the last 20 years. New technologies, business models and media have disrupted the way we do just about everything. Conventional wisdom has it that the new kids on the block are the ones who are going to own the market at the expense of industry stalwarts, but these three amazing South African disruptors are showing them how it’s done.
IT’S THE EXPERIENCE ECONOMY, STUPID
Regardless of how the world changes, organisations that consider their customers’ emotions and experience first, win. That’s exactly what Tautona, BrightRock and ZAR X did. They put themselves in the customers’ shoes and asked one key question: ‘What’s wrong?’ Few industries are as ripe for disruption as insurance. When John Holdsworth co-founded cognitive automation business Tautona AI in 2016, he knew that there had to be a better way for insurers to handle client claims.
Tautona AI emerged out of a consulting engagement John had with a large insurance company. With a background in IT, he is a highly experienced technology executive and entrepreneur who has started a number of successful companies. He says he loves the energy and adrenalin associated with start-ups. He pioneered the use of digital signatures in South Africa, founded mobile payments company PAYM8, and converged voice and data provider ECN, which he sold to Reunert for R172 million in 2011. The experience acquired over this time meant he was ready to take on a massive challenge.
This story is from the November 2018 edition of Entrepreneur Magazine South Africa.
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This story is from the November 2018 edition of Entrepreneur Magazine South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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