Telkom’s Dr Mmaki Jantjies on driving innovation in an evolving digital age

Summary

In this episode of 'Real World Strategy Dialogues', Heather Orton interviews Dr. Miky Yanis, the Group Executive for Innovation and Transformation at Telkom. They discuss maintaining growth amidst challenges in the information and communications sector. Dr. Yanis shares insights on leveraging innovation for resilience, Telkom's R&D initiatives with universities, and the importance of digital inclusion. She emphasizes the social impact of their work, supporting education, and empowering communities, highlighting the company's commitment to innovation and talent development for a more inclusive South Africa.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The importance of resilience in business is highlighted, especially in the face of unpredictable challenges like infrastructure failures and skills deficit.
• 💡 The establishment of an Innovation office at Telcom post-pandemic to drive future-looking strategies and leverage innovation for business renewal.
• 🤝 Telcom's long-standing R&D partnerships with South African universities, fostering a collaborative approach to technological advancements, including AI.
• 🏆 The celebration of 25 years of Telcom Research Centers of Excellence, emphasizing the company's commitment to academic collaboration and talent development.
• 🌟 Dr. Miky Yanis's role in driving strategic growth through research, development, and innovation, including her leadership in digital inclusion for women.
• 🚀 Investment in SMEs and the development of products like 'Ease', which focuses on translation and transcription in South African languages for improved customer service.
• 🤖 The integration of AI in various customer-centric solutions, such as chatbots, to adapt to the evolving needs of a diverse customer base.
• 🏆 Recognition of the social impact of Telcom's innovation, supporting education and community development, and empowering SMEs for broader economic growth.
• 📚 The full lifecycle support of education within South Africa through Telcom's initiatives, from high school programs to postgraduate support.
• 💼 Strategic imperatives for success include nurturing talent, fostering a culture of innovation, and being customer-centric in business practices.
• 🧘‍♀️ Personal strategies for navigating significant responsibilities involve leveraging community support and collaboration, which aligns with South African values of unity and collective progress.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the 'Real World Strategy Dialogues' episode featuring Dr. Miky Yanis?

The main theme of the episode is maintaining growth in a constantly changing environment within the Information and Communications sector.

What challenges has the Information and Communications sector faced recently according to the episode?

The sector has faced challenges such as infrastructure failures like undersea landslides or load shedding, skills deficit, and the need for local and international investments.

What role does the Innovation office at Talcom play in the company's strategy?

The Innovation office at Talcom was established to help the business leverage innovation to look forward to the future and address key challenges, ensuring the company remains relevant.

How does Dr. Miky Yanis describe the importance of the Innovation office's structure and technologies?

Dr. Yanis emphasizes the importance of the Innovation office's structure and technologies by highlighting its collaboration with South African universities and investments in SMEs to produce products like 'Ease', which focuses on translation and transcription in South African languages.

What is the significance of Telcom's partnership with South African universities in terms of R&D?

The partnership has resulted in the Telcom Research Centers of Excellence, which have been funding and working with academics on key technology issues for over 25 years, contributing to the development of the Telco landscape.

How does Telcom's investment in SMEs reflect its commitment to the country's economic growth?

Telcom's investment in SMEs, having worked with over 2,600 of them, shows its belief in SMEs as the backbone of the country, creating employment opportunities and fostering innovation.

What is the product 'Ease' and how does it relate to Telcom's use of AI?

The product 'Ease' is a result of Telcom's partnership with an SME and its data science team. It focuses on translation and transcription, particularly for South African languages, showcasing Telcom's use of AI to enhance customer service.

What initiatives has Telcom taken to support education and skill development in South Africa?

Telcom has invested in educational interventions in math and science, supported honors, Masters, and PhD graduates through its centers of excellence, and offered undergraduate merities, contributing to the full life cycle of the education system in the country.

How does Dr. Miky Yanis view the role of talent and culture in driving innovation at Telcom?

Dr. Yanis believes that innovation demands great talent and a culture that supports and encourages out-of-the-box thinking. She highlights the importance of HR initiatives like design thinking courses and the restructuring of the organization's culture to align with the company's goals.

What personal guiding principles does Dr. Miky Yanis employ to navigate her significant responsibilities?

Dr. Yanis relies on her passion for empowering South Africans, the support of her community, and the principle of collaboration, which she believes is key to achieving impact both personally and professionally.

How does the 'Telom Lion Den' initiative contribute to fostering a culture of innovation at Telcom?

The 'Telom Lion Den' is an innovation challenge that allows staff members to pitch their ideas to the CEOs of the businesses. It disrupts the traditional culture and empowers employees to contribute to the company's innovation efforts.