By Robert Palmer, Palmer Consulting
The only constant is change. It is an often-used quote these days but one that is particularly relevant when thinking about today’s fast-moving business environment. So much of how we conduct business today is in a constant state of flux, and the pathway to success for most companies lies in the ability to not only accept change but to embrace it.
This point was hammered home for me during the inaugural 2013 Xerox Focus Forward event held recently in Dallas. That word—change—was repeated often during the one-day program, and the challenges we face today were summed up nicely during the opening introduction: “Change is good, change exemplifies progress, change is what’s next.”
Building on the success of last year’s program, Xerox has put together a strong schedule of Focus Forward events for 2013. Designed to bring customers together with industry experts, technology providers, and other thought leaders; the Focus Forward program provides an important venue for learning about the future of business—to discuss best practices for dealing with today’s many business challenges and to see examples of how customers have solved real business problems.
The managed print services breakout session in Dallas kicked off with an inspiring keynote from Bill Taylor, author and co-founder of Fast Company. Several comments from the keynote resonated with me, but one in particular struck me as crucial when thinking about the issue of change. “You can’t let what you know limit what you can imagine,” he says. Excellent point.
I am fortunate enough to have been asked to attend and participate in each of the Xerox Focus Forward events this year. You can follow my thoughts in this blog as I travel to each event and from city to city. The next Focus Forward event is only days away in Chicago. Hope to see you there.
Robert Palmer is an independent market analyst and industry consultant. With more than 20 years of experience in the printing industry, he has covered technology and business for prominent market research firms such as Lyra Research and InfoTrends. He was managing editor of the Hard Copy Observer for six years and more recently served as director of office document services for Photizo Group. Mr. Palmer recently formed Palmer Consulting, an independent consultancy covering the imaging market.
The Focus Forward program provides an important venue for learning about the future of business.