Page 12 - BOSS Today Issue 59
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BOSS Today      #59     BOSS MEMBERS’ DAY






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          Review: 12th October 2023






            s part of BOSS Members’ Day on 12th   There were then two industry panels
          AOctober at the St Bride Foundation   hosted by Simon Drakeford, CEO of
          in London, the 118th AGM was first on   EO Group and former BOSS Chair, and
          the agenda. Notable highlights included   Julie Hawley, YPO Finance Director and
          introducing the new Chair, Julie Hawley of   incoming BOSS Chair.
          YPO as the current Chair, Simon Drakeford
          of EO Group, has stepped down.    B2B e-commerce first?
            This was followed by a keynote   The key growth opportunities
          address by Dr Daniel Hulme, who is   in the business supplies industry
          an expert in business technology, AI
          and the environment. Daniel provided   The panel explored the key features
          BOSS members with a radically new   and functionality of e-commerce that
          framework for how people should think   will achieve growth in our sector, while
          about AI (especially Generative AI), with   considering examples of B2B ecommerce
          entertaining examples and anecdotes,   trends shown in other industries that
          giving particular consideration to how   have driven incremental growth.
          AI could assist companies in their sector
          to support their customers with the   What impact will Government’s U-turn
          massive changes in the working world   on key green initiatives have on the
          post-pandemic.                    business supplies sector?
            He discussed how organisations could
          practically adopt these technologies and   Julie explored, with her panel, the impact
          avoid being seduced by the hype. He   that government pushbacks on a number
          argued that, while these technologies   of key sustainability initiatives will
          were incredible at creating growth and   have on the business supplies sector.
          streamlining operations for companies   Panellists debated whether companies
          to stay innovative, businesses also   should prioritise sustainability over
          needed to use AI to unlock the creative   other commercial pressures and also
          capacity of their workforce. Daniel also   looked at how the industry could work
          covered the macro impact that these   together to drive sustainability through
          technologies might have over the coming   the supply chain.
          decades and suggested that it was within                             To watch Daniel’s keynote speech AND
          the gift of enterprise to make a better                              A VIDEO OF BOSS MEMBERS DAY
          future for everyone.                                                 click here


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