https://www.scmp.com/rss/324062/feed Inaki Amate is managing director for Hong Kong at Fjord, design and innovation from Accenture Interactive en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com More and more companies are turning to voice-controlled services as a way to “humanise” their automated offerings. But as we all know, early forays into this technology have not always led to happy customers. When the device does not understand customers’ accents or fails to meet expectations of simulating a conversation, people are left desperate to reach a human being, and often tell tales of wanting to throw their computer or phone across the room. That is never good for brand... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2104503/how-plan-ahead-inevitable-voice-activated-future?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2104503/how-plan-ahead-inevitable-voice-activated-future?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Jul 2017 08:48:37 +0000 Businesses should have employees that care about their business, employees who view their work as a positive part of their life, not just a job. Companies should strive to create an environment where this is possible. If that happens – if people genuinely love their work – it is likely that the business itself will become, what we call, a living business, or one that almost has human characteristics. The business will be responsive, emotive and ambitious. It will be able to change with the... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2097473/managers-must-encourage-employee-involvement-workplaces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2097473/managers-must-encourage-employee-involvement-workplaces?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jun 2017 07:03:14 +0000 Remember the DVD shops and travel agencies that used to be found on every other block in residential neighbourhoods across Hong Kong? Some are still there, but many have shuttered as online alternatives put them out of business. The rise of digital services has caused profound changes in the business landscape globally. If companies want to survive and thrive, they need to become what we call “living businesses”. That is, businesses that almost has human characteristics – responsive, emotive,... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2093927/your-business-alive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2093927/your-business-alive?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 12 May 2017 03:16:29 +0000 Most businesses are grappling with how to keep up with change – new competitors with faster, better services are rewriting the rules of many industries. The solution often bandied about is to use design thinking to bring user-led innovation to market fast. But that’s not easy. First off, what is design thinking? Design thinking begins with putting the end user first and then finding out their needs. It emphasises rapid prototyping, testing and gathering user feedback. It is a methodology that... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2073421/how-avoid-one-pitfall-traps-companies-grappling-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/2073421/how-avoid-one-pitfall-traps-companies-grappling-change?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 24 Feb 2017 03:31:49 +0000