THE next ten years will separate the winners from the losers in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, according to tech entrepreneur Chris van der Kuyl.
“Right now is the time of fastest change that any of us have ever lived through before – and it’s actually the slowest it ever will be again,” said Mr van der Kuyl, whose Dundee and East Lothian-based business 4J Studios produces the Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo console editions of Minecraft, the virtual building block game tipped to become the most successful videogame of all time.
“Technology is accelerating every day, week and month to an extent that’s pretty mindblowing. Businesses need to try and imagine what the world’s going to look like ten years from now. That’s exciting and frightening in equal measure. This should be one of the principal thoughts on the mind of every business and entrepreneur – because there is no area of life that won’t be impacted.”
Mr van der Kuyl was key speaker at last night’s ScottishPower event ‘Powering the next generation of Scottish business in the new digital age’. Held in association with Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, the event debated how businesses could prepare for increasing digitisation over the next decade.
Neil Clitheroe, chief executive of retail and generation at ScottishPower, said that by 2025, smartphone usage will have reached 100 per cent and internet use will be at saturation point.
“Our customers are becoming increasingly internet savvy and they are looking for the positive and ‘no hassle’ experience from the other online services they use to be replicated by their energy provider,” Mr Clitheroe added. “There’s a tremendous opportunity to diversify the products and services we offer to new and existing customers.”
Cally Russell, the chief executive and founder of online shopping app Mallzee, which has raised more than £3m since it was set up in 2013, also shared his tips on achieving business success.
“Have confidence in your own abilities and don’t be afraid to ask to questions,” he said. “No-one knows everything at any point in time and people in the Scottish business and start-up community are always very willing to offer support and advice.”
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