Disruption and the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Why Mirakl is going to Davos

This article was originally published on Linkedin in January 2020.

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At Mirakl, we believe in innovation, entrepreneurial spirit and agility. We believe in making the world a better place by giving local and global leaders the tools they need to stay competitive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Because a world with less innovation and fewer innovators is a world on the decline.

When I co-founded Mirakl eight years ago, I did it because I saw a need to empower companies to challenge the Amazons and Alibabas of the world that — after exponential, under-the-radar growth — had suddenly emerged as threatening giants. Businesses were slow to platform, but the ones that did were revolutionizing entire industries — AirBnb, Uber, Farfetch, Deliveroo and obviously Amazon and Alibaba.

Since then, it’s been fascinating to speak to industry giants about how to transform their business in order to keep up with innovation, customer expectations and global norms. It’s been easier for some — the nimbler digital natives who understand how to leverage their e-commerce platforms to create a marketplace of the 21st century. For others, like Tetra Pak, that have been around since 1951, and whose customers are manufacturers buying parts and machinery serving the food and beverage industry, a chance to digitize and platform their business is a fascinating case study in self-disruption. That kind of buy-in has to come from the top and trickle through the company all the way down to the heart of who they are.

Yet, they’ve done it.

They’ve platformed their business — placed themselves at the epicenter of their industry’s ecosystem to solidify their position as a leader today and for years to come. It’s been an honor for Mirakl to have helped Tetra Pak through that journey, and it will be fantastic to share a stage with them in Davos. To advocate for digital transformation is why we chose to host a panel discussion in Davos during the World Economic Forum. Our goal is to empower companies to thrive. Because this isn’t a revolution without casualties. And as we witness the collapse of once powerful companies, we know there is no such thing as “too big to fail.” Doubt or denial are no longer options.

Tomorrow’s leaders aren’t today’s oldest, richest or biggest companies. They are the agile ones that, despite size, embrace self-disruption, shift their business model and gather the tools to compete against digital natives today. As supporters for a level playing field, Mirakl is looking forward to gathering leaders, innovators and Platform Pioneers in Davos to discuss how to help businesses create and launch the necessary changes to drive enterprise and win in a new frontier.

Originally published at https://www.linkedin.com.