Brian Solis recently hosted a live conversation with Telstra CEO David Thodey on stage at the annual Digital Innovation Summit in Sydney. CIO’s Shahida Sweeney was in attendance and her summary of the conversation was both riveting and also a reflection of Thodey’s inspiring vision and purpose at Telstra.

“It’s about innovation and a willingness to share knowledge. The free flow of ideas is now open and transparent. This is precisely why corporations should move out of ivory towers and embrace change.”

There are no easy answers to going digital, the CEO said. “We’re still a process-driven company. Moreover, with regulators that want to ‘help’ us along the way, we need to create a sense of purpose and we have got to be bold.”

Sweeney also covered thoughts from Solis’ solo presentation that followed his conversation with Thodey.

Solis told the summit that it is difficult to predict the future “because it’s not written yet. You and I are now writing this future, here and now.

Solis noted that the future for business, government or education is about experiences and “how you made people feel.”

This goes beyond standard-issue ICT inventory or board-room processes. Success lies in making a direct and tangible connection with people, in an online or mobile setting.

Please read the full article at CIO.