RMIT experts available for comment on business recovery
RMIT experts are available to talk to media about preparing for businesses recovery ranging from driving digital transformation to supporting small business innovation.
Digital workforce
Associate Professor Victor Gekara (0451 001 928 or victor.gekara@rmit.edu.au)
Topics: workplace technology change, future of work, training and industry skills formation, VET Policy.
“The COVID-19 situation has given us a clear glimpse of what the future of work looks like: it is about advanced digital technologies; remote, flexible work arrangements; a digitally competent workforce; and highly sophisticated business interactions.
“The battle for business productivity, resilience and competitiveness will be increasingly fought on the basis of quality new technologies, workforce training, and appropriateness of workforce skills.
“Digital skills are no longer to be considered ‘nice to have’ but rather as a critical and essential business enabler. Unfortunately, far too many Australian businesses still consider digital skills optional. The long-term delayed impact will be devastating as skills gaps grow at critical moments.
“It is time Australia moved beyond talk of digital economy and embraced the more basic principles of a digital society. The strength of success of a digital economy lies in how digitally enabled the entire society is, or else it remains superficial.”
Associate Professor Victor Gekara is Leader of the Skills, Training and Industry Research Network (STIRN) and Director of the Global Transport and Logistics Research Group in the College of Business at RMIT University. His research focuses on the emerging Industry 4.0 and 21st Century industry workforce skills demand.
SMEs, family business, and organizational resilience
Professor Kosmas Smyrnios (0406 620 359 or kosmas.smyrnios@rmit.edu.au)
Topics: family business survival, microfinance, resilience, microenterprises
“Today’s business environment is exposing companies to high levels of vulnerability and threats to survival.
“Resilient organizations are more likely to be prepared and able to deal with threats and challenges than their counterparts.
“Our longitudinal research identifies the key organizational resiliency capabilities necessary for firm sustainability.
“This research shows that resilience is a dynamic attribute that involves multiple capabilities operating at a number of levels within an organization, and at different times.
“These capabilities could be adapted for new venture creation in the form of micro enterprises.
“In line with the Job Keeper program, there is a role for the establishment of a tailored job creation scheme, where the Commonwealth Government provides specific financial support for new entrepreneurial formation.
“A government-led job creation scheme would foster independence and a sense of empowerment in individuals and communities, shifting away from dependency on handouts.
“A Grameen Bank style program could play a key part, here.”
Kosmas Smyrnios is Professor of Family Business Entrepreneurship in the School of Management at RMIT University. He has consulted for multinational corporations including AXA, the Commonwealth Bank, and PWC and is frequently called upon to provide expert media commentary.
Digital transformation
Geoffrey Mann (geoffrey.mann@rmit.edu.au)
Topics: digital transformation, digital strategy, innovation, start-up processes, business pivoting, customer centred digital solutions
“COVID-19 has accelerated the pace of digital transformation, with no industry immune.
“75% of today's S&P 500 will be replaced by 2027 due to the new digital landscape, placing additional pressure on firms to embrace and adapt to the digital world.
“Pivoting like a start up in times of change has opened new segments or revenue streams for companies that are currently experiencing an economic downturn.
“This includes restaurants entering the grocery market, commercial airlines offering cargo flights, or gyms morphing into online workouts.
“The ability to be bold with new digital solutions will increase the divide between businesses expanding in the digital landscape to businesses being forgotten, with top economic performers like the Commonwealth Bank providing new digital offerings.
“Australian companies have only touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to digital transformations, with just 3% of companies being future-ready. This is due to Australia’s risk-averse culture or unwillingness to embrace a digital journey.”
Geoffrey Mann is a PhD candidate in the School of Accounting, Information Systems and Supply Chain at RMIT, and an Innovation Advisor to leading firms within Australia. His work and research focus over the last seven years has been on the implementation of end-to-end digital transformations at speed across a range of sectors in the US, Europe and Asia Pacific markets.
For media enquiries, please contact RMIT Communications: 0439 704 077 or news@rmit.edu.au
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