“Huge areas of uncertainty have been created for business by the rapid changes in the modern world and it is time to take stock and see where we are going. To do this we are convening a business summit where we will take a holistic view of the future of business,” says Janine Myburgh, president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce.
“We have arranged some inspirational input from Google, Uber and the Institute for Futures Research to get business people thinking about the challenges and opportunities opening up as the world changes.”
Some the changes were political and would have a major impact on business confidence and investment while others were technological in nature.
“Nearly 50 years ago, Alvin Toffler said in his book ‘Future Shock’ that ‘the illiterate of tomorrow will not be the person who cannot read, but the person who does not know how to learn.’ This goes to the heart of the matter and the business summit will be an opportunity to come to terms with the new technology flooding into our lives and businesses.”
The pace of change was accelerating and businesses had to anticipate, adapt and take advantage of new opportunities. To do this it was essential to be more aware of the world around us. “If there is one summit you need to attend this year this is it.”
The speakers will include Luke McKend, a director of Google South Africa, Jonathan Ayache, Uber’s GM in Cape Town, Dr Morne Mostert, director of the Institute for Futures Research, Jannie Mouton, founder and chairman of the financial services company PSG and Busisiwe Radebe, an economist from Nedbank. There will also be input from the City with talks by Alderman J P Smith who is responsible for safety and security on the City’s Mayoral Committee and Lance Greyling, the city’s director of trade and investment.
For more information, call Denise Kolbe on +27 (0) 21 402 4300, email az.oc.rebmahcepac@esined or go to www.capechamber.co.za.
