How do you keep up to date on everything technology has to offer? | Mike Saunders | TEDxGreshamPlace

Summary

The speaker reflects on the evolution of technology's role in society, moving from viewing it as a magical solution to recognizing its true value lies in enhancing human life. They introduce a framework focusing on mobile, social, data, and the Internet of Things for business success. However, as technology advances, the speaker emphasizes the need to shift focus to people, not technology. Success in the digital world hinges on understanding human context, relationships, and intelligence, urging a human-centric approach over a tech-centric one.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The speaker emphasizes that technology isn't just the future; it's the present, and it's integral to our current world.
• 🧞‍♂️ Initially, technology was seen as a 'magic genie' that could solve all problems, but the reality is more complex.
• 📈 Success in a digital world isn't guaranteed by technology alone; it requires understanding how to integrate it effectively.
• 📱 The four key elements identified for success in technology are mobile, social, data, and the Internet of Things.
• 🤝 Social technology has revolutionized how we connect and build relationships, moving beyond just utility to forming communities.
• 📊 Data is pivotal as it allows for intelligence and insight, shaping how businesses operate and make decisions.
• 🏗️ The Internet of Things (IoT) has made everyday objects 'smart', changing our interactions and expectations.
• 🛒 The retail industry, once thought to fit the mobile, social, data, IoT model, revealed the need for a fifth element: e-commerce.
• 🤖 New technologies like AI, robotics, and nanotechnology have expanded the tech landscape, complicating the original model.
• 👥 The critical realization is that technology succeeds when it serves human needs and enhances people's lives.
• 🌟 Success in a digital economy is not about the technology itself but about the impact it makes on people's lives and how it's adopted.
• 🔍 The new framework focuses on context, relationships, and intelligence, which are the keys to understanding and succeeding in a digital world.

Q & A

What is the main question the speaker started with regarding technology?

The main question the speaker started with was 'How do you succeed in a digital world?'

Why did the speaker initially view technology as a 'magic genie'?

The speaker viewed technology as a 'magic genie' because it was perceived as a solution that could change everything in one's world, from business success to personal relationships.

What are the four elements the speaker initially believed were necessary for success in technology?

The four elements the speaker initially believed were necessary for success in technology were mobile, social, data, and the Internet of Things.

How did the speaker's perspective on technology change over time?

The speaker's perspective changed from seeing technology as the key to success to realizing that technology only succeeds if it means something to people, making it a people conversation rather than a technology one.

What is the significance of the speaker's third book, 'Human-Centric', in their narrative?

The speaker's third book, 'Human-Centric', signifies a shift in their thinking to prioritize people over technology, emphasizing that technology fails unless it has meaning and impact on people's lives.

What are the three new questions the speaker suggests we should ask to understand success in a digital economy?

The three new questions the speaker suggests are: 'How do we interact with the world?', 'How do we build relationships?', and 'How do we access knowledge and information?'

How does the speaker describe the change in context due to technology?

The speaker describes the change in context as a shift where people can comparison shop within a physical store using technology, and where personal health data influences individual behaviors and perceptions.

What is the impact of technology on the way relationships are formed and maintained according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, technology has fundamentally changed how relationships are formed and maintained, moving from traditional dating to digital introductions, social media stalking, and communication through platforms like WhatsApp.

How does the speaker view the role of intelligence and information in a digital economy?

The speaker views intelligence and information in a digital economy as resources that people access through technology rather than retaining in their minds, leading to a shift from memorization to knowing where to find information.

What is the speaker's final advice on finding success in a digital economy?

The speaker's final advice is to stop focusing on chasing technology and instead be empathetic, understanding people's context, relationships, and intelligence to make a meaningful impact on their lives.