CXO Outlook – July 2022 – Global Edition – 10 Most Most Influential CEOs in 2022

INFLUENTIAL CEOs SPECIAL

GLOBAL EDITION

INSIGHTS. IDEAS. INSPIRATIONS

FEATURING INSIDE

MOST INSPIRING LEADER IN AR - VR INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR - 2022 Jay Banerjee, Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, ImmersiveTouch, Inc.

Gene Saunders Founder & CEO, Project Lifesaver International Pg - 20

Michael A. Collura President & CEO, In Home Personal Services Pg - 35

Daniel Etra CEO & Co-Founder, RethinkFirst

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Pg - 48

PAUL H. JONES FRSC CEO, BITREZ

CXO OUTLOOK

July 2022

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CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

K12 Digest Sept-Oct 2020

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Want to Sell or find Investor for your Business?

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CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

July 2022

Vol - 3 Issue - 8

Most Influential CEOs in 2022 Head of Advisory Board Dr. Manoj Varghese, Ph.D

Managing Editor Sarath Shyam

Consultant Editors

Dr. Johny Andrews Andrew Scott Joseph Alex

Naomi Wilson Stanly Lui Emma James

Editorial Enquiry: admin@cxooutloo.com

Art & Design Charlie Jameson

Sales & Marketing

Jennifer Anderson Rachel Roy

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Monica Davis Anna Elza

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CXO OUTLOOK July 2020 May 2022

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

That Boss with a Vision

H

ow did Ed Whitacre save GM Motors in 10 months is an inspiring fable for people who aspire to be successful CEOs. It goes like this.

Edward E. Whitacre Jr, son of a railroad engineer and wife, the six-foot-four-inch native Texan known by friends and colleagues as "Big Ed," had retired from AT&T as its CEO in 2007. After a couple of years, Ed Whitacre was appointed as the Chairman of General Motors, with the massive task of turning around the company following its bankruptcy and government bailout. He had to act quickly, and he did exactly that. Big Ed would dismiss the automaker's former chief executive after just eight months on the job, saying GM wasn't moving fast enough. He then took over as GM's CEO and immediately transformed the automaker into a modern company that could compete in both the US and world markets. In just 16 months following Whitacre’s arrival, GM launched the largest IPO in history at USD 23.1 billion.

The story of Big Ed is one of the many celebrated tales in the business world. There are many more, told and untold, waiting to be discovered. In fact, CEOs have always been under watchful eyes, as it is the most powerful and sought-after title in business, more exciting, rewarding, and influential than any other. Statically, the CEO accounts for 45

percent of a company’s performance. Researchers say that just three in five newly appointed CEOs live up to performance expectations in their first 18 months on the job. Since there are no specific winning formulae that a CEO can follow blindly, the so-called successful CEOs do not necessarily make reliable guides.

To understand what makes CEOs successful, we have up with a special issue featuring the ‘10 Most Influential CEOs in 2022.’ In their role, they have gone beyond the conventions of setting the strategy, shaping the culture, and getting the right team, to make great decisions in a volatile environment. On the cover, we feature Mr. Paul H. Jones, the CEO of Bitrez. By remaining active in the business and leadership, Mr. Paul drives the strategy of 3 cutting edge businesses, ensuring financial security, and articulating a vision of regulatory compliance, green chemistry, and improved performance, delivering both health and environmental benefits by using his technical skills, management, and leadership.

Enjoy Reading.

Sarath Shyam CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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CONTENTS

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COVER STORY POWERING A S U S TA I N A B L E F U T U R E

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Pa u l H . J o n es FRS C C E O, B I T R E Z

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

INFLUENTIAL

CEOs

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Pioneering Radio Tracking Recovery of Persons at Risk

DANIEL ETRA CEO & Co-Founder, RethinkFirst

GENE SAUNDERS Founder & CEO, Project Lifesaver International

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Building a Health Technology Company with a Social Impact

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MICHAEL A. COLLURA President & CEO, In Home Personal Services

7 Caring for those who Care

MOST INSPIRING

LEADER IN AR-VR INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR - 2022

A Tech Innovator Unlocking the Potential of Immersive Technologies

JAY BANERJEE Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, ImmersiveTouch, Inc.

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CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

CONTENTS IN MY VIEW

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Fintech: The Power to Create a Better Tomorrow Cobus Steyn, Executive Deputy Head, International School of Flanders, Belgium

Nigel Green, Founder & CEO, deVere Group

LEADERS’ INSIGHTS

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What Type of Leadership Style? Well, All of Them!

Creating Successful Digital Transformation Strategies for Global Organizations

EXPERT’S OPINION

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How Tech is Bridging the Gap Between the Museum & Audiences

Mr. Sumit Puri, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Synergy Digital Solutions & Aura Data Tech

Kamini Sawhney, Director, MAP

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How Can Luxury Brands Stay Relevant in Metaverse Space?

Tushar Gandotra, Co-founder, FiEx

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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Reel Vs Real: OTT Viewers Struggle To Find Balance In The New Age Of Media Consumption

Arshdeep Singh Mundi, MD, Jujhar Group

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Higher Education Digest October 2020

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

IN MY VIEW

FINTECH: THE POWER TO CREATE A BETTER TOMORROW Nigel Green, Founder & CEO, deVere Group

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T

he fintech revolution we’re witnessing is unstoppable.

The financial services industry is experiencing its most profound transformation ever. And it’s all down to fintech.

Financial technology, or fintech, is the use of tech to provide financial services to consumers, and is redefining and reshaping the sector at lightning speed and in a major way.

The growth is being driven by skyrocketing investment into the sector. In the second half of 2021 alone, global fintech investments recorded $210 billion across 5,684 deals (venture capital, private equity, and mergers and acquisitions), according to KPMG findings.

In addition, investor interest in crypto and blockchain was

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particularly high, but the range of fintech services continues to expand.

The most popular fintech investment last year was the payments sector, attracting $51.7 billion.

“Investment in the payments space continues to boom, both in mature markets like the U.S. and U.K. — and in emerging markets like Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia. Throughout 2021, there’s been an extraordinarily high level of VC investment due to the nature of the global economic recovery combined with the digital transformation that has been accelerated by Covid-19,” stated Courtney Trimble, KPMG’s global leader of payments.

This trend is set to continue, even accelerate further, in 2022 and beyond. Indeed, the world’s top 100

The world’s top 100 Fintechs already have a value of $2.7 trillion, they’ve proven themselves and they aren’t going anywhere

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A financial services industry professional with more than four decades of top-level international experience, Nigel Green’s over-arching mission, is to help expatriates worldwide reach their long-term financial goals through the powerful combination of personal financial advice and innovative digital solutions. Nigel originally formed the powerhouse that is deVere back in 2002 offering bespoke financial advisory services such as insurance, low-cost investment solutions, asset management, online banking and fintech solutions. He embraces new disruptive technologies and is an advocate of pioneering fintech solutions as is evident by the Crypto, Venture capital and NFT investment platforms offered by his company.

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fintechs already have a value of $2.7 trillion, they’ve proven themselves and they aren’t going anywhere.

Fintech demand I believe there are three key reasons why fintech demand will continue to soar in future.

First, clients. More and more clients want all their financial services requirements to be managed online or via mobile apps. It’s all about instant access, 24/7, from anywhere in the world.

Second, financial inclusion. Fintech offers safe, secure, convenient and affordable global digital payment. I believe 2022 will be crucial in the fintech revolution, as lawmakers and regulators step up their focus on catering to vulnerable parts of the economy, scale up production and research and development to bolster an increasing number of fintech transactions.

Third, businesses. Fintech offers companies cuttingedge ways to diversify, reduce costs, enhance the client experience and meet regulatory requirements.

Cryptocurrencies Looking to the future, crypto and blockchain will continue to transform fintech. Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, has become an increasingly

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

mainstream part of the global financial system. It is now legal tender in El Salvador and the Central African Republic, with many more set to follow suit this year, say experts. In addition, more and more central banks are looking to create CBDCs (central bank digital currencies).

Bitcoin isn’t just about offering typically good returns on investments, it’s also a force for social good, providing an exit from both financial and political repression. It can act as a shield against hyperinflation, and unlike fiat currencies, Bitcoin can’t be manipulated by modifying rates or increasing quantitative easing.

Crucially, Bitcoin’s supply cannot exceed 21 million, so, in essence, it’s practically devaluation-proof.

Furthermore, in terms of financial inclusion, Bitcoin plays a massively beneficial role as it can be sent safely and securely, with no censorship, helping the 1.7 billion global ‘unbanked’ population Consequently, as a long-time supporter of fintech, this lightning progression is an immensely positive force.

It has the potential to make a fundamental difference to billions across the globe. It’s helping to create an ever more connected world, allowing more people than ever before to achieve their financial ambitions. It has the power to create a better tomorrow.

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Higher Education Digest October 2020

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COVER STORY

POWERING A S U S TA I N A B L E F U T U R E

Pa u l H . J o n es FRS C C E O, B I T R E Z

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he qualities of a leader are numerous. From being open-minded to strong-headed, one needs to possess a long list of traits to be a great leader. In a corporate space, these traits take precedence over other matters. Mr. Paul H. Jones FRSC, the CEO of Bitrez, embodies these traits and leads by example to be ethical, honest, and have an open business culture. As a director, he is responsible for leading the organization and has a duty to make informed decisions and exercise reasonable care, skill, and diligence.

By remaining active in the business and leadership, Mr. Paul drives the strategy of 3 cutting edge businesses, ensuring financial security, and articulating a vision of regulatory compliance, green chemistry, and improved performance, delivering both health and environmental benefits by using his technical skills, management, and leadership. Through strategic review and cognitive research skills, he is involved in deciphering data from regulators that create opportunities in the market.

"While responsible for key decision making, I also involve the team while providing insight, influence, and guidance. Having worked through the ranks, my understanding of each function allows me to lead with clarity and consideration for the problems individuals/ departments face. This awareness and depth of understanding enable clear communication of concise and digestible information," Mr. Paul says.

Mr. Paul believes that progress is achieved through multidisciplinary collaboration, always focusing on the end goal. He encourages learning and education, both internally and externally, as he desires to see his employees evolve and achieve their full potential. "My door remains open to all, and I try to assist whenever I can. The unusual path I have taken and the resultant success from these endeavors confirm that with the right drive and determination, and maybe just a little luck, anyone can be successful," he shares.

The Stepping Stones As a young man, Mr. Paul was branded a natural leader, be it in the classroom or some sports event. But the same traits that he had were coupled with an inherent tendency to be slightly rebellious, which he feels contributed to him seeking out employment early in life. Fortunately, at the tender age of 17, he started working at the laboratory of a chemical plant and immediately realized his aptitude for the products, production, and all the associated systems. Demonstrating this propensity for chemistry and manufacturing coupled with having high energy, drive, and determination, he was quickly promoted through a series

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BITREZ IS A SPECIALIST DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND MANUFACTURING ORGANIZATION AIMING TO CONTINUE TO INNOVATE NEW MATERIALS AND PIONEER LOWER HAZARD POLYMERS FROM SUSTAINABLE FEEDSTOCKS

of positions in the business. Before reaching 20 years of age, he commanded the respect of the workforce and was made responsible for the site, and shortly after that became a director and shareholder.

His leadership and entrepreneurial nature supported Mr. Paul through global travel and the development of the business's reputation, thus preparing the groundwork for future growth. In 2021, he was the recipient of the Royal Society of Chemistry, Chemical World Entrepreneur, for his confidence in his entrepreneurial approach to business and life. Mr. Paul's initial business ownership started when he was given shares in place of significant financial offers from large multinational companies. "Through interfacing with the chemical subsidiaries of oil Companies, I was approached, receiving attractive offers to lure me into the oil sector. However, with a combination of strong loyalty, appreciation, and respect for my colleagues, coupled with a better the devil you know familiarity and the belief that the opportunities unfolding before me would lead to success, I elected to remain at Bitrez and became a shareholder,” he says.

As the company grew, Mr. Paul started creating different opportunities for innovation within the company.

Within Bitrez, he developed the innovative ICHEME and Queens Award-winning products for the packaging sector.

In 2012, they also set up Anacarda Limited, another Queens Award-winning business, as an offshoot that focuses on polymers from sustainable resources. This business utilizes the Bitrez manufacturing plant and is derived from some technology developed by Chemical Processing Services Ltd [CPS], a personal consultancy business used to house Patents and the IP he has generated. It also offers technical support, licensed deals, and specialist contract manufacturing arrangements.

Leading in Manufacturing Bitrez is a specialist design, development, and manufacturing organization aiming to continue to innovate new materials and pioneer lower hazard polymers from sustainable feedstocks. "We have established ourselves as the UK's leading specialty thermoset resin producer, and we export worldwide. Our vision is to take new technology to various regions to allow overseas domestic manufacture through licensing and contract manufacturing agreements," shares Mr. Paul.

The company saw significant growth and ensured a steady income by aligning with market leaders. With a vision based on innovation, Mr. Paul wants to grow the business to greater heights. Through CPS, Mr. Paul patented some new chemistry for sustainable-based

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thermoset products. Following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals [SDG's], Bitrez has made provisions for materials with high Bio content, improved safety status, offers technical enhancements, and through an optional license arrangement, can be processed domestically to spread the wealth and minimize the transport carbon footprint, and reduce costs.

Bitrez is a sustainable, multi-million-pound business that has secured employment for over 100 people, of whom 75% are chemists, engineers, or technicians. For several years the company hovered with a turnover of around £25 Million before introducing a continuous 24/7 operation to increase capacity. The turnover in 2021 has increased by over 40% to just under £33 Million. In addition to the financial success, they have also received outstanding recognition, securing many awards and being introduced to numerous collaborative projects with esteemed research institutes. The Anacarda business has also proven immensely successful and was selected by the leading Marine Paint manufacturer to be utilized as the material of choice in their next-generation coating systems. This, in turn, has led to year-on-year growth and increasing return. Finally, the third business, CPS, was recognized as the start-up Company of the year in the ICHEME Global awards and has also seen excellent growth. With 3 Patents and more new technology being added, this business is expected to proliferate through license deals.

Bitrez Ltd maintains an enviable reputation for resolving technical issues and enhancing the performance of products so that they will last longer, go further or faster, withstand operation in adverse conditions, or meet problematic customer or market requirements. Thus, making them a unique player in the manufacturing industry. For almost 40 years, they have been formulating products and providing solutions that allow customers to create or enhance their product range.

By constantly developing or improving products to meet increasingly demanding regulatory restrictions, Bitrez ltd maintains a sense of consciousness and consideration of existing threshold limits and takes steps to avoid product development that includes regrettable substitution. "We have strived to generate safer and cleaner products through our innovative approach, enhancing performance to ensure that our customers can maintain a competitive edge.

We have supported market leaders with our specialty polymers through selective strategic alliances to ensure that they maintain this prominence. We look to increase commercial value through innovative solutions and provide products whose performance adds value," shares Mr. Paul.

Bitrez Ltd understands the importance of the satisfaction of their customers. Through innovation and out-of-the-box thinking, Bitrez’s approach comes in many guises

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is about people, and I value loyalty above all else. I have been privileged enough to amass a team of specialists with outstanding character, and they form the core of the business," says Mr. Paul.

Having been involved in all departments and historically being the author of many of Bitrez’s systems, Mr. Paul recalls his time as the Operations Director, obtaining BS 5750 and subsequent ISO 9001/14001/45001 certification Overcoming Stumbles standards for Quality, Safety, and the Environment. He Building a business can take a lot of time and patience, let was summoned to receive the alone resources, perseverance, and British Safety Council Sword of the will to keep pushing forwards. honor and, with invitations, to In Mr. Paul's case, he decided to Buckingham Palace, Windsor do this with 3 businesses, which Castle, and the Mayor's Mansion, stand at an incredibly successful all featuring as very memorable level today. But he did have his occasions. "I feel privileged to stumbles. He says that constant have exceeded my aspirations and care for the company put him BITREZ LTD IS have been more successful than under a lot of stress, which he I may have hoped or expected to gracefully handled and came out WORKING ON have been. I have my health, and of. "I have faced adversity that LICENSING I am comfortable, and I take great has manifested itself in shortages pride from having been able to of resource or material, financial ARRANGEMENTS provide for those closest to me," burden, or cash flow or finding FOR PRODUCTS THAT he shares. it difficult to achieve a specific requirement. My extensive travel AID THE SUPPLY OF Status Today around the globe was not without MATERIALS THAT Currently, Bitrez Ltd works events, and I have been fortunate towards creating sustainable enough to have narrowly evaded CAN HELP GENERATE options in their services. They injury being present during GREEN ENERGY have been responsible for explosions or gunfire in either troubleshooting and resolving hotels or during transit with OR ARE UTILIZED customer or market issues that events in Macedonia, Russia, TO MANUFACTURE come with technical demands, Indonesia, Africa, and Belgium, safety issues, and changes in to name a few. While I may have LIGHTWEIGHT legislation. Additionally, they been lucky, this caused distress COMPOSITE PARTS TO are also working with providing for friends and family and is products for specialist coatings something I am now much more EFFICIENTLY USE THIS serving the packaging food sector, conscious of," he shares.

GREEN ENERGY marine, and industrial markets, Today, experienced people and we produce Matrix systems in place in all aspects of the for composite applications. target regions certainly help to "While we have established reduce the workload. Mr. Paul products derived from sustainable believes that problems and feedstocks, it is only more recently that these materials adversities built character and subscribed to the belief that have gained an unprecedented level of traction as there overcoming hardship and difficulty makes the final success is greater environmental concern and awareness from all more rewarding. "The measure of someone is surely their quarters. Our products are not only derived from sustainable response in the face of adversity, not a success, and I know materials, but many are used in the manufacture of parts my team faces problems head-on, and through their guile for equipment that is used to harvest clean energy, as well and determination, they always find a way to succeed. as systems for electricity transmission and distribution," My business has technical demands, and it goes without shares Mr. Paul. saying that there is a need for various skill sets. Business that include blue sky development of new products and improving existing products by cleaning them up on a structural basis. This allows customers to receive suitable material to continue their operations, differentiate from their competitors, and gain more significant market share or value.

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The company is also working on licensing arrangements for products that aid the supply of materials that can help generate green energy or are utilized to manufacture lightweight composite parts to efficiently use this green energy. This includes systems used in the manufacture of electric vehicles or encapsulate, fix, and protect electronic components from their environment and provide insulation and mechanical performance to overcome stresses and cyclic fatigue.

For a Progressive Tomorrow The chemical industry has played a big part in climate change, and with the Net Zero target in sight, there is a need to rectify the damage caused. While there is a global requirement to address Carbon neutrality, we need to stand together as innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders with a history of embracing a challenge. Bitrez Ltd continues to use disruptive chemistry to develop products to help mitigate climate change. This is but one of many requirements needed to satisfy the UN Sustainable Development Goals. While these goals are all-encompassing and provide a framework

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designed to address a global imbalance regarding social and economic discrimination, they encompass numerous targets to help protect our planet. Their plans include helping resolve these issues and providing a means to ensure carbon neutrality is a reality.

As an experienced person in the field and in leadership, Mr. Paul shares his thoughts for the future CEO of the world. "I believe we generally excel at what we enjoy doing, and I would advise any aspiring business leader to be focused on their core strengths and work hard. This is easier when young and comes with a note of caution as years pass by. The second part of the advice I would offer would be to try and recruit and develop a trustworthy team and empower them to express themselves. The fastpaced nature of our industry and the dynamics of today's business require an understanding of the regulatory and geo-political landscape and current and future technology, all used to determine the innovative development required to stay ahead of your competition. This is not an easy task and takes time, effort, and a sprinkling of good fortune," he concludes.

Powerful protection designed for PC gamers

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NORTONLIFELOCK.COM CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

IN MY VIEW

WHAT TYPE OF LEADERSHIP STYLE? WELL, ALL OF THEM! Cobus Steyn, Executive Deputy Head, International School of Flanders, Belgium

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ne of the aspects of educational leadership I particularly enjoy is the mentorship of new leaders, be it students or staff.

Empowering young or new leaders to enable them to realise their potential to affect change is an enriching experience.

There are many opportunities for teachers to engage with educational leadership. These can be at a curriculum level, pastoral level or whole-school level.

There is ample literature to support that many writers who engage with educational leadership have blurred the lines between leadership and management. For this reflection, I will make a clear

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distinction between the two in as simple a manner as possible.

Managers manage a process and follow a set of policy documents to ensure that whichever process they are managing is successful.

They are not accountable for a failed process due to misconceived procedural policies and do not affect change or growth. On the other hand, leaders affect change, accept responsibility, and have a clear goal that they work towards.

They work, serve, empower, change and grow institutions.

Newly appointed leaders often research different leadership styles and wonder which they should adopt. Which is better? Should I

For a new leader to only focus on one type of leadership style is a folly

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Cobus Steyn has been leading international schools in various contexts and positions since 2011, specialising in strategic direction, school improvement and accreditation, and governance structures. He is currently attending the Doctoral College of the University of Bath, specialising in International Education Leadership and Administration. Mr Steyn also serves the international school community as an Accreditation Team Member and a Cambridge Assessment Specialist. As a citizen of a Global South country, Mr Steyn is enthusiastic about transformation in international education which would lead to a more inclusive learning experience for international school students, and developing young leaders. He is also very passionate about education in Africa. Over the course of his career, Mr Steyn has lived and worked in six countries on three continents.

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be a transactional leader? Should I follow a distributed leadership structure with my team? The short answer is all of them!

Educational institutions are incredibly dynamic environments. This is one reason why they are exciting institutions to work for. No day is the same as another.

With the dynamic environment comes a constant flux of leadership requirements. Add to this the strategic direction the school is undertaking, where on its accreditation cycle it is, or what threats or opportunities it is facing. To a great degree, these will determine what style of leadership and type of leadership distribution is required. A lot also depends on the organisational culture of the school, its unique context, or the composition and experience of its teachers. For a new leader to only focus on one type of leadership style is a folly. The more opportunities they have to engage in different styles and techniques, the more they are able to hone these skills to better serve their stakeholders – students, parents, teachers and boards.

To help illustrate my point: if a school is developing its next strategic plan, then there has to be stakeholder

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voice reflected in the process. This is an ideal opportunity to follow a distributed leadership process by empowering middle leaders to accept responsibility for a specific area suited to their strengths, be it facilities, infrastructure, teaching and learning etc. These leaders can then engage in a process with their team to propose direction and change, thus enabling all stakeholders to have a shared, strategic vision.

For example, there could also be a threat. During the recent pandemic, many stakeholders looked at executive leadership to assume an autocratic role and guide the school community through challenging times.

Usually, when the stakes are high and there is a healthy level of trust in leadership, a community may feel more comfortable with leadership dictating the next steps and process to ensure that all members and stakeholder groups are guided. This is often one of the more challenging roles to accomplish as a leader.

Another scenario could be that a school is in midcycle of both strategic plan and accreditation, allowing for transactional leadership to be put into practice.

There are always tasks and goals which require completion but there may not be a lot of enthusiasm from the community to engage in this. Middle leaders can put in place a series of goals and targets and assign responsibilities.

While there may be some debate exactly as to how many leadership styles are available for new leaders to engage with, this is, to my mind, a moot point. New leaders should be exposed to as many styles as possible and find opportunities to develop the skills associated with each. As schools are so complex and in constant change, there will be situations requiring a leader to dive into their bag of skills and use the correct framework for the institution to develop, grow, and improve.

For me, the most important thing for a new leader to remember is that all leadership styles in a school have to be grounded on the notion of service to your community. This does not mean service leadership, but rather selfless leadership at the core of your motivation and approaches. As you are shaping the lives and futures of students, their interest and development must be at the heart of your choices, along with the development of your teachers.

To be a new leader can be a very daunting and intimidating experience. However, there are great support platforms for international school leaders to be a part of. Many experienced leaders are happy to mentor and help new leaders. The Academy for International School Heads is a great place to start if your leadership journey has just begun.

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CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

MOST INSPIRING

LEADER IN AR-VR INDUSTRY OF THE YEAR - 2022

JAY BANERJEE

CO-FOUNDER & CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, IMMERSIVETOUCH, INC.

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A Tech Innovator Unlocking the Potential of Immersive Technologies

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s per the latest reports by the Commonwealth fund, the US performs elective surgeries at a higher rate than other countries using cuttingedge technologies. The Co-Founder & COO of ImmersiveTouch, Jay Banerjee, identified a gap in the healthcare market for improved efficiency management in the case of surgeries. Jay decided to tap on this opportunity and develop a better solution that would reduce costs and offer modern medical solutions to the surgeons. ImmersiveTouch was born out of necessity.

Jay, from a young age, was exposed to technology and innovation. Hence, it’s a no-brainer that tech innovation is ingrained in everything he does. Jay has a Systems Engineering degree from the University of

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Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He began his career by working at JP Morgan & Chase as a Project Manager.

After co-founding ImmersiveTouch, Jay has managed various roles and responsibilities as its COO, including overseeing sales, marketing, strategic partnerships, products, finance, and HR. Revolutionizing Digital Surgery Incepted in 2014, ImmersiveTouch is a leading FDA 510(k) platform that converts 2D medical images into 3D spatial models, enhancing surgical planning, training, and collaboration. “Our technology provides the next generation of surgeons with realistic surgical simulations. These 3D spatial models are viewable with

Our technology provides the next generation of surgeons with realistic surgical simulations

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Jay Banerjee Co-Founder & Chief Operating Officer, ImmersiveTouch, Inc.

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virtual and mixed reality devices so that each patient’s unique anatomy can be thoroughly studied and engaged with before the procedure begins,” explains Jay. What makes it unique is its first automatic segmentation tool that creates 3D patient-specific simulations using DICOM data directly from CT, CBCT, and MRI scans.

This proprietary platform uses disruptive technologies such as AI, computer vision, surgical simulation, and VR giving an edge to the existing visualization techniques.

Using the ImmersiveTouch platform, surgeons can now view, plan, and rehearse surgery virtually with ease, prior to entering the operating room.

Company’s Mileposts Led by Jay, ImmersiveTouch has achieved several milestones that speak volumes about its growth and

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success over the years. In 2017, ImmersiveTouch was used by 30+ surgeons to plan and simulate the separation of craniopagus twins. ImmersiveTouch partnered with Zimmer Biomet in 2020 to expand adoption into hospitals across the country, specifically focusing on the CMF market.

In 2021, ImmersiveTouch received its third FDA 510(k) clearance. Over 1,400 procedures were performed using ImmersiveTouch’s platform. In 2022, ImmersiveTouch entered a collaboration with Mayo Clinic to create an augmented reality surgery navigation platform. In the coming years, Jay and his team at ImmersiveTouch are looking forward to building more innovative products keeping the customers’ needs in mind and continuing to climb ladders of success with confidence.

In 2020, ImmersiveTouch users grew three folds, and the company predicts more than half of the hospitals in the US will be using this technology within the next three years

Pandemic Opened Doors to Numerous Growth Opportunities On the one hand, the COVID-19 pandemic created havoc in the global healthcare industry. On the other, it also accelerated the adoption of remote training and collaboration like never before.

In 2020, ImmersiveTouch users grew three-fold, and the company predicts more than half of the hospitals in the US will be using this technology within the next three years. Jay proudly shares, “We were also able to expand into other markets, outside of CMF (craniomaxillofacial) to include orthopedic, cardiothoracic, neurology, oncology, dental, etc.”

Planning an Immersive Future Jay and his team are currently working on an AR surgery navigation platform. They also aim to expand surgical applications and increase product development at ImmersiveTouch. This year, they will continue adding new recruits and creating a company sales force.

Reflecting on ImmersiveTouch’s long-term plans and niche areas of focus, Jay asserts, “Our vision for the future is to focus on the needs of the surgeons by creating a unified digital surgery platform that includes all surgical procedures that require personalized patient-specific imaging. This includes technology such as AR to navigate procedures in operations, VR to simulate procedures, and AI to improve our surgical training platform.”

Pearls of Wisdom Jay says that the AR and VR technologies have been around for much longer than people are aware of. “The industry is finally just at a point where the technology is ready to be used in reallife applications.” He concludes that “aspirants looking to build a successful career should find something you love, and you will always want to stick with it.”

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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Daniel Etra

Guido Cianciulli

CEO, Rethink First

Founder and CEO, ACCA software

Website: https://www.rethinkfirst.com/

Website: https://www.accasoftware.com/en/

Headquarters: New York, US

Headquarters: Bagnoli Irpino, Italy

About the Company:

Rethink is a global health technology company providing cloud-based treatment tools, training, and clinical support for individuals with developmental disabilities and their caregivers.

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

About the Company:

ACCA software is one of the world’s leading producers of software and services for the architecture, engineering and construction industries.

Gene Saunders

Joseph Chan

Founder & CEO, Project Lifesaver

Founder and CEO, AsiaPay

Website: https://projectlifesaver.org/ Headquarters: Florida, US About the Company:

Project Lifesaver is a 501 (C)(3) community-based, public safety, non-profit organization that provides law enforcement, fire/rescue, and caregivers with a program designed to protect, and when necessary, quickly locate individuals with cognitive disorders who are prone to the life-threatening behavior of wandering.

Website: https://www.asiapay.com/ Headquarters: North Point, Hong Kong About the Company:

AsiaPay is a premier digital payment solution and technology vendor in Asia, strives to bring advanced, integrated, and cost-effective digital payment processing solutions and services to banks and e-businesses around the world.

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Michael A. Collura

Paul H. Jones

President and CEO, In Home Personal Services

CEO, Bitrez

Website: https://ihps.com/ Headquarters: Illinois, US About the Company:

In Home Personal Services provides exceptional senior care with affordable rates and professionally trained caregivers.

Website: https://www.bitrez.com/ Headquarters: Standish, England About the Company:

Bitrez is a resin manufacturer that holds the UK’s coveted Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation, offering an extensive range of highly innovative materials developed for a broad range of markets.

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

Robert de Ruijter

Scott Truehl

CEO, DRI Rubber

Executive Vice President & Partner, Friede & Associates

Website: https://drirubber.com/ Headquarters: Waalwijk, Netherlands

Website: https://www.friede.com/ Headquarters: Wisconsin, US About the Company:

About the Company:

With optimal consistency, surety of supply, and efficient production, DRI Rubber provides high-quality, sustainable, and costeffective solutions for a variety of rubber parts manufacturers worldwide.

Friede & Associates is a commercial general contractor generally serving the southern two-thirds of the State of Wisconsin. The company’s craftsmen self-perform concrete, carpentry, and steel erection on its commercial, retail, municipal, manufacturing, and industrial projects.

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Stefan Ott

Virender Jeet

CEO and Founder, Confinity Solutions

CEO, Newgen Software Technologies

Website: https://www.confinity-solutions.com/

Website: https://newgensoft.com/home-us/

Headquarters: Eschborn, Germany

Headquarters: New Delhi, India

About the Company:

Confinity Solutions is a FINTECH startup with mature products and has an established customer base worldwide.

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

About the Company:

Newgen is the leading provider of a unified digital transformation platform with native process automation, content services, and communication management capabilities.

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CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

INFLUENTIAL

CEOs

DANIEL ETRA CEO & CO-FOUNDER, RETHINKFIRST

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Building a Health Technology Company with a Social Impact

D

aniel Etra, CEO and Co-Founder of RethinkFirst, has created a mark for himself in the healthcare industry with an upward career trajectory.

Prior industry expertise, unique skillsets, and influential leadership roles have proved instrumental in his rise.

Daniel began his career by working in investment banking, where he learned to value companies based on financial metrics. His stint in the army gave him the leadership experience and the ability to maintain focus/ discipline, accomplishing complex tasks in extreme situations and under significant duress. Simultaneously, Daniel also managed an import and distribution company in the Middle East, which helped him develop management skills and the ability to take an operating concern and drive growth.

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

Later on, Daniel received his MBA from Harvard Business School. This was followed by experience working in the consulting industry, enabling him to gain insights and develop skills in analyzing and developing business strategies for various clients across multiple industries. “All of these prior experiences equipped me to found my first company, a printing business supplying the retail apparel and accessories industry,” further continues Daniel. His past experiences enabled him to lay the foundation for Rethink, a leading behavioral health technology company.

Making Best Practice Treatments Available According to the latest reports by the CDC, about 1 in 6 (17%) children aged 3–17 years are diagnosed with a developmental disability in the United States.

Our superior performance over the past few years has been reflected in rapid revenue growth in the high thirties on a percentage basis year over year, combined with growing profitability

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Daniel Etra CEO & Co-Founder, RethinkFirst

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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ABOUT

DANIEL ETRA,

CEO & CO-FOUNDER, RETHINK Mr. Daniel Etra currently serves as CEO of Rethink. Before co-founding the Company, Mr. Etra was CEO of RER International, a supplier of printed materials to the retail industry. Mr. Etra was a Consultant at Bain & Company, helping establish their NY office, and served as a Managing Director of Promodex Ltd., an importer, and distributor of consumer appliances and industrial equipment. In addition, Mr. Etra worked at Wasserstein, Perella & Co., specializing in M&A in healthcare, technology, and natural resources. Mr. Etra has an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Yale University. Born and raised in New York City, he volunteers in the Pediatric Department at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, working with children ages 3 months to 15+ years old.

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

Started in 2007, RethinkFirst is built on a mission to address the significant challenge of effectively and affordably meeting the treatment needs of an enormous and growing population worldwide with a developmental disability, faced with a significant dearth of trained professionals. Back in the day, Daniel and his team found extensive research on the effectiveness of video modeling for training in the fields such as medicine and the military. This gave them the light bulb moment. Together, they combined this proven method of instruction with the tested and medically-recommended ABA treatment methodology.

"We at Rethink determined that the only way to deliver clinical best practice treatment in a scalable way was to leverage technology to train whoever was caring for the individual with the developmental disability how to deliver the treatment,” remarks Daniel.

Since then, Rethink has been applying its award-winning technology to provide a scalable and affordable solution for individuals with a developmental disability and their caregivers worldwide.

Through Rethink’s practice management platform, a large number of behavioral health providers can serve tens of thousands of children nationwide with autism and related disorders today

Unique and Making a Difference Rethink offers expertise in three key areas: Behavioral Health, Employee Benefits, and Education. Research shows that employees who have a dependent with developmental disabilities tend to experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression and yield low productivity at work. Whil, Rethink's inclusive personal wellbeing, professional development, and parenting & caregiving platform supports those employees and allows them to perform at their best. Presently, the Whil platform is being leveraged by employers with under 1000 employees to over 500,000 employees, and across its book of business, Rethink covers over 7 million lives.

Through Rethink’s practice management platform, a large number of behavioral health providers can serve tens of thousands of children nationwide with autism and related disorders today.

Moreover, Rethink's Ed suite of solutions offers the industryleading special needs management platform for public school districts. From rural to large urban districts, schools in the 50 US states seek this platform's assistance. Daniel and his team have designed Rethink's Ed program to fully meet the Federal IDEA requirements and a variety of state-based legislative mandates to provide an adequate education to students with special needs, as well as support the broader mental health needs of the entire district population.

Besides being robust and clinical best practice, Rethink’s software is web-based, easy-to-use, and provides a scalable platform onto which new products/solutions can be easily added and/or integrated. With such feature-rich platforms, Rethink is fulfilling its objective of inspiring and empowering individuals with developmental disabilities and those who support them and standing apart from its market competitors.

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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a child with a developmental disability such as autism or Turning Challenges into Opportunities ADHD. Costco Wholesale decided to deploy the Rethink Right now, Rethink’s main challenges involve attracting program to support the needs of its employee caregiver. and retaining the best talent and finding new growth avenues in today’s tech-driven age. "The fact that we Driving Product Innovation impact the lives of millions worldwide helps us attract Defining innovation and what it means to the Company, high-quality individuals who can work anywhere they want Daniel answers, “Innovation to us means first and foremost but ultimately choose to come to Rethink," states Daniel. recognizing the problem in the market that we are seeking He further continues saying, “As we seek to accelerate to address and truly understanding the customer's needs our growth, we first and foremost listen to our customers before developing unique and scalable solutions to address and look for additional pain points that we can address those needs.” Based on a clientfor them through a platform driven centered culture and best-in-class approach, one where we can both customer service, Rethink is driving build as well as buy new product the creation of innovative products offerings that can then be upsold to that effectively and scalably meet the our clients.” needs of its customers.

The growth and progress of At the moment, Daniel and his Rethink remained unaffected even Rethink team are planning to launch during the COVID-19 pandemic new products that will accelerate the times. Pre-pandemic, a majority of Company’s growth and expand the our 300+ employees were already customer base in the global healthcare working remotely, so nothing Based on clientsystem. One of the products from much changed in the workflow. centered culture this range comes with data analytics “In fact, the pandemic only served capabilities where prediction of and best-in-class to drive greater awareness of the treatment outcomes can be made importance of mental health in the customer service, possible for the population with an marketplace, which highlighted the Rethink is driving autism spectrum disorder. Daniel importance of our behavioral health regards this as "the cutting-edge leap solutions to our clients and allowed the creation of for our industry” and will help position us to have a greater impact in the innovative products Rethink as a leader in this area. market,” quips Daniel.

As for the future years, Daniels that effectively reveals, “We continue to seek out new Client Testimonials Backs and scalably meet ways to effectively and affordably Rethink’s Performance meet the behavioral health needs Daniel shares, "Our superior the needs of its of our clients and will continue to performance over the past few customers pursue rapid growth across all the end years has been reflected in rapid markets that we serve.” revenue growth in the high thirties on a percentage basis year over A Day in CEO’s Life year, combined with growing As the CEO of a leading health technology company, profitability. We are currently serving over 2,000 enterprise Daniel's time is fullyoccupied, from staff meetings to clients across multiple end markets, with most revenues product review sessions, client presentations, and investor coming from the US." reporting calls.

One of the Rethink's clients shares their experience “I find the best way to stay focused and even keel is of using the Company’s platform and its value-added to remember that I have overcome challenges or difficult advantages. Donna Sexton, the Director of Employee situations before and will continue to do so in the future,” Benefits at Costco, said, “I can't think of any benefits shares Daniel while talking about his mantra of keeping we've ever added to our suite that got so much attention calm under pressure. On a personal front, meditation is and so many letters to our president, thanking him for Daniel’s valuable tool for maintaining mindfulness and bringing Rethink on, and what a difference it was going to wellbeing. He also places high value on his time with his make in their lives.” The workforce at Costco Wholesale family outside of work. constituted nearly 20% of employees who were caring for

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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CXO OUTLOOK Higher Education Digest July 2020 2022 October

LEADER’S INSIGHTS

CREATING SUCCESSFUL DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION STRATEGIES FOR GLOBAL ORGANIZATIONS Mr. Sumit Puri, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Synergy Digital Solutions & Aura Data Tech

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Mr. Sumit Puri is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of Synergy Digital Solutions & Aura Data Tech. He is an experienced IT Leader with over 27 years of work experience in conceptualizing digital enterprise strategy, enabling governance and operational process transformation in leading organizations in Asia. Prior to his stint as Managing Director, Synergy Digital Solutions, he has played diverse senior global and regional IT Leadership roles like Group CTO, Evercare Group, CIO, Max Healthcare, CIO at Prudential Corporation Indonesia, Senior Vice President at ICICI Prudential, Global Digitization Leader at GENPACT and Senior management consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is LEAN, LOMA, Six Sigma and PMP certified, has strong leadership and governance skills besides huge passion for innovation.

Sumit is a Mechanical engineer and completed his MBA from IIM, Bangalore in 1998. He is an advisory Board member of several startups, regular speaker and panelist at conferences across Asia Pacific region on enterprise digital strategy and governance and has won several international awards across Asia Pacific region.

In a recent interview with CXO Outlook, Mr. Puri sat down and shared his thoughts on current trends shaping the IT industry, take on customer centricity, a change he would like to alter in this industry, and a lot more. Check out the interview excerpts as follows.

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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Cloud and 5G network connectivity can help commoditize technology infrastructure and radically change the way we access information and connect to the world

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

According to you, what are the current trends transforming the IT industry? Are there any tech trends that are here to stay for good?

The key trends which are transforming IT industry are artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data, 5G network and cloud migration. AI and Big Data are required by forward thinking enterprises to enhance the depth and quality of business insights and stay ahead of the enterprise performance curve in this ultra- competitive world. Blockchain technologies can help transform the world of payments, enhance workflows, integrity and trust of transactions and integrate various industry sectors and processes seamlessly. Cloud and 5G network connectivity can help commoditize technology infrastructure and radically change the way we access information and connect to the world.

These technologies need to be meshed seamlessly with the right mix of people and processes with future ready enterprises embedding and institutionalizing their usage as per their organizational fabric and context.

As a leader, what lessons and insights have you carried away from this COVID experience?

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated the pace of digital transformation and adoption across enterprises with remote work, digital health, online collaboration and conferences etc., becoming the order of life. The key lessons to be learnt are that we are only limited by our imagination in usage of technology. Who would have thought a couple of years ago that working from home and virtual work could prove sometimes even more productive than working in physical offices?

Similarly, the importance of simplicity in user interface design and ease of use in technology applications was demonstrated in the way usage of Zoom online conferencing catapulted during the pandemic.

Also, the need for corporates and employees to enhance their immunity and start giving importance to mental wellness besides physical health was also established very distinctly.

Those organizations which cared for their employees and stood by them during trying times are the ones which will reap the benefits of renewed loyalty and enhanced productivity where employees will serve the organization from their hearts rather than only with their hands and minds.

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Today, more people are turning towards social media. How can brands leverage technologies like AI, machine learning, blockchain, and others to improve their social media presence?

With the advent of social media, primacy of traditional media channels and billboards in physical geographic locations has indeed become history. In this hyper connected age, the entire

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

world could potentially be your playground if we can market and communicate our value proposition well.

It is imperative that brands formulate an enterprise wide digital strategy on social media and establish an effective digital presence in the channels accessed by their target customers. By leveraging AI, machine learning and blockchain, they can deepen their understanding of consumer behavior and straddle across the customer journey landscape. They could also use AI and machine learning to further understand customer trends and behaviors, create a continuous feedback loop, and tailor their offerings to evolving customer preferences.

With the advent of social media, primacy of traditional media channels and billboards in physical geographic locations has indeed become history

What is your take on customer centricity with design thinking? Are you implementing it in your organizations?

Design thinking is critical to customer centricity and needs to be embedded from the beginning in customer facing products and applications offered by the enterprise. For starting design thinking, we need to understand customer personas, customer journey mapping, and key pain areas. With design thinking supported by a robust backend infrastructure, the value proposition becomes very powerful.

I have implemented design thinking in the last few years in several organizations with excellent results on user adoption.

In fact, at Synergy Digital Solutions, we advise clients on how to inculcate design thinking as part of digital transformation agenda, and how we can create composite teams of digital native employees and functional sponsors with specialized design partner organizations to supplement the conventional IT service teams which has yielded excellent results.

What is the one change that you would like to make in the current business industry? Please elaborate.

The one key change I would be keen to move away from is the conventional functional silos in organizations and inculcate a culture of shared goals across the organization. This would help build high levels of employee alignment across levels and significantly enhance overall enterprise performance.

What would be your piece of advice to the budding business leaders?

I would like to advise them to not be fearful of change but to embrace it. Technology is changing rapidly and can transform the way we work, live and operate. However, technology is not an end in itself – along with technology, we need to enable and incentivize the right people, and process ecosystem which would deliver seminal long-term results for the organization.

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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INFLUENTIAL

CEOs

GENE SAUNDERS FOUNDER & CEO OF PROJECT LIFESAVER INTERNATIONAL

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Pioneering Radio Tracking Recovery of Persons at Risk

W

andering off and becoming lost is one of the most common behaviors among people with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders.

Meet Gene Saunders, Founder & CEO of Project Lifesaver International, who started the first and only non-profit organization that works on the elopement issue among at-risk individuals. Gene says, “I founded Project Lifesaver International to address the issue of recovering Alzheimer’s patients that wander and become lost in a quick and manpower efficient manner.” Searches such as these would often require a lot of manpower, time, and logistics often not be successful. Therefore, with its training and equipment, Project Lifesaver has

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

dramatically reduced the logistics of a search and led to more successful rescues, not only of Alzheimer’s patients but also other cognitive or behavior disorder wandering situations such as Autism.

Project Lifesaver International: Bringing Loved Ones Home Since beginning its journey over two decades ago, Project Lifesaver’s mission has been to provide timely responses to save lives and reduce potential injury for adults and children who tend to wander due to a cognitive condition.

To function, its team uses three key components— cutting-edge technology, innovative SAR methods, and community policing courses.

We have been able to mark our success with the number of agencies continuing to join, the number of rescues made, and the rise of for-profit competition

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Gene Saunders Founder & CEO of Project Lifesaver International

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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As a commanding officer, Gene also worked in National Guard and State Defense Force in Infantry, Airborne, and Ranger Units

Today, Project Lifesaver International has offered services to over 1,700 public safety organizations in 50 states, 6 Provinces in Canada, and 1 agency in Australia.

Hence, it is termed the Gold Standard in Excellence throughout the special needs SAR community. More recently, the team has begun working on projects such as

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

Airborne tracking with drones and the use of Bluetooth to enhance their program’s tracking ability.

Gene reveals the company’s significant milestones, “The most significant milestones are the advances we have made in the equipment we offer. We have been able to mark our success with the number of agencies

continuing to join, the number of rescues made, and the rise of for-profit competition.”

Professional Voyage to Excellence Gene is a pioneering and veteran leader who has previously served the Chesapeake Police Department Patrol, Vice, Narcotics, Detectives, and Training for over 33 years. He was also a Chief Investigator on several large multi-state, international drug, and organized crime conspiracy investigations. As a commanding officer, Gene also worked in National Guard and State Defense Force in Infantry, Airborne, and Ranger Units during his stint. He is also a certified instructor in Pursuit Driving, Firearms, Special Operations, Raid Planning, General Law Enforcement, and Search and Rescue. After serving the community for several years, Gene retired as a Captain in 2001.

Apart from these professional attainments, Gene is an excellent orator. He has authored several articles for magazines concerning wandering and has appeared on numerous local, national, and international radio and television programs. Among his innumerable talents, Gene has also been a part of the entertainment industry, where he played some exciting lead and supporting roles.

For someone who has had tremendous years of experience as a leader, Gene Saunders is one of the most influential leaders to watch out for in 2022.

Having worked with numerous organizations in leadership roles, how has your life experience made you the leader you are today?” To which, Gene answers, “These glorious experiences in leadership roles have given me great insights into leadership, responsibility, and interaction with others.”

Challenges Faced as a Seasoned Founder-CEO When leading a company from the front, a leader has to face and overcome numerous challenges. As with any organization, the Founder-CEO of Project Lifesaver International says that personnel issues are always a challenge. In addition, Gene remarks, “Keeping our organization abreast of changes in the areas we service, and the culture of the member agencies is a matter of concern.” This is not all. “Research and development in the technology we use to constantly improve and updates to the training we provide to keep it relevant and timely is also a challenge,” says Gene.

A Sneak Peek into Gene’s Productive Day “I arrive at the office at 7:00am each morning. Grab a cup of coffee, check emails and messages, and get

started for the day,” shares Gene. As the day progresses, he communicates with his team and member agencies regarding any urgent and impending requirements and issues. Accordingly, he allots new tasks and projects between his personnel. During the week, Gene holds meetings with the senior team members for project updates and other organizations for possible future collaborations. Since there is no time out from this job, the leader of Project Lifesaver international continues to work round the clock.

Standing Tall in the Midst of Pandemic Various industries were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. However, things remained unchanged in the wandering dynamics. The non-profit organization continued to grow. “The only problem we encountered was the ability to train agencies in the program and its equipment and use,” asserts Gene. “We had to continually work with agencies for scheduling and training availability.”

Looking Ahead at the Future In the post-pandemic world, the organization plans to evaluate equipment and training and look for better ways to do the task at hand.

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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EXPERT OPINION

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How Tech is Bridging the Gap Between the Museum & Audiences Kamini Sawhney, Director, MAP

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

S As the Museum of Art & Photography’s (MAP) first Director, Kamini Sawhney has brought together a young, inspired team that is focused on creating a new museum experience for audiences in India. In leading this founding team, Sawhney has helped shape a vision for MAP that seeks to inspire people to interact with art in ways that encourage humanity, empathy and a deeper understanding of the world we live in. She has been a vocal ambassador for MAP presenting the institution’s plans and aspirations at various fora including the India Art Fair, at workshops at the CSMVS, Mumbai (Museums and the City), the Bangalore Literary Festival and the Bangalore International Centre.

everal centuries ago, during the renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci showed us how a study of the sciences can help provide solutions in the art space.

And today again we are witness to the way technological interventions have transformed cultural experiences; the Van Gogh immersive experience is a case in point.

Whether in the form of digital photography, video art, film and installation pieces or others, technology today has grown to have a significant impact on the operations, economies and patterns of consumption of the art world. From smart buildings and collection management systems to online auctions and the recently popularised creation and sale of NFTs, from immersive installations and viewing rooms to online exhibitions, virtual backgrounds on Zoom and even Google Chrome extensions, technology has most certainly made its mark in both how museums today are run and how they connect with their publics. The pandemic too fuelled this digital boom in an unprecedented manner, wherein museums and cultural institutions across the globe were inspired to think differently (and digitally) in order to remain relevant to their audiences, while also reaching new audiences across the globe. Just a few years ago it would have been difficult to imagine seeing a gallery exhibition online, let alone an entire art fair! With this acceleration in innovation, the gap between audiences and museums or cultural institutions is diminishing today through the power of technology to enliven spaces, to initiate critical conversations and more importantly, to attract young people.

For museums especially, the integration of technology into the physical spaces, curation or programming has proven to be extremely rewarding as we see a higher percentage of young people taking a keen interest in visiting or engaging with museums all over the world. Let’s take for example the recent collaboration between the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the American telecommunications company Verizon through which the museum offered augmented reality (AR) versions of some of its masterpieces. Online visitors could explore galleries, play games and “unlock” works of art that one could display “virtually” at their respective homes for a certain period of time, enabling people to click selfies with the artwork in their space and share on popular social media platforms, such as Instagram. Through this project, people were not only able to increase their knowledge of art history, owing to the games and quizzes, but also gained access to one of the world’s greatest collections, and to visual art in general, which has for centuries been

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

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With over 50% of the world’s population having access to the internet today, technology allows museums to both scale and democratise the manner in which people engage with their collections, like never before 50

perceived as a luxury reserved for the elite or uber wealthy.

With over 50% of the world’s population having access to the internet today, technology allows museums to both scale and democratise the manner in which people engage with their collections, like never before.

Through the power of AI-driven innovations and collaborations with some of the biggest tech players in the world, the Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) stands as one of the primary institutions committed to changing the perception of art in India, and using technology to bridge the gap between the museum and audiences. MAP and Accenture Labs have collaborated to present India’s first conversational digital persona of the celebrated artist, M F Husain. A unique digital experience created to engage audiences of all ages, Husain’s persona provides a glimpse into the life and works of one of India’s most compelling artists. Viewers can simply ask Husain’s digital twin a question regarding his early life, family or career to receive a simulated response from him. While Husain’s voice has been digitally created using speech synthesis softwares,

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

the questions and answers have been prepared through extensive research on the artist.

In India, there already exists a huge gap between museums and its publics, since most audiences (young and old) consider museums to be dull, uninteresting spaces.

Given the significant loss of tangible and intangible heritage in the country, it has become even more important to educate the masses about the importance of art and culture in our daily lives. Technological innovations such as these are therefore critical to inspire a greater public engagement with art and culture. In the past few years, we’ve seen many museums within the country unlock the potential of technology to reinvent themselves, and to remain relevant in the 21st century, especially for younger audiences. An innovative use of technology enables museums to stand out as exciting, interactive and engaging spaces; a space where a teenager might feel comfortable spending an entire afternoon learning about the country’s rich artistic and cultural heritage without thinking of it as an extended history lesson.

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CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

INFLUENTIAL

CEOs

MICHAEL A. COLLURA PRESIDENT AND CEO, IN HOME PERSONAL SERVICES

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Caring for those who Care

A

s the Founder and CEO, Michael A Collura has worked hard to make what In Home Personal Services stands for today. By emphasizing the 'care' in caregiving, he has defeated all odds to be at the top of his industry. Now Michael believes that being a leader is a struggle, where one is constantly trying to make impossible decisions that work for everyone, knowing that it is the right thing to do. "The struggle is not knowing, making mistakes, and having to overcome your own limitations. The struggle that no matter how hard you work, without a team you are nothing," he adds. Michael shines out through all these grateful struggles, making him one of the most influential CEOs in 2022.

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

As the President and CEO of In Home Personal Services, established in 2004, Michael says that he is nothing without his team. "To be blessed with the trust placed in our team and our brand as a provider is something that we take immense pride and privilege in.

Our challenges are met every day with the needs of those we care for and delivering quality, client-centered and individualized care. Meeting these challenges makes us who we are, and knowing the impact it makes on the lives of others is why our team looks forward to it every day," he shares.

Before he got into the caregiving industry, Michael worked at Target Retailers, which shaped him professionally into the person he is today. He learned

To be blessed with the trust placed in our team and our brand as a provider is something that we take immense pride and privilege in

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Michael A. Collura President and CEO, In Home Personal Services

CXO OUTLOOK July 2022

about the importance of leadership, teamwork, guest services, and how to be a brand that cares. Michael also picked up on their 'red shirt' look due to their brand identity. He modified it for healthcare, especially keeping in mind clients that could have Alzheimer's to be easily recognizable.

This idea helped him pay homage to his previous employer and have a color that is easy to perceive by all people.

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From its Inception In Home Personal Services has been helping people all over the United States of America for about 18 years now, despite the speedbump known as COVID-19. Growth has not slowed down since the company's inception and is already launching even more in 2022. Through their franchise system, they are expanding across the United States at a record pace. Compared to where they were last year, the number has increased by double in size as a franchise system over the previous 2 months. "What matters to us is not necessarily the growth. For us, the growth means more care provided in need and meeting our standards of what quality care is meant to be,” explains Michael.

Continuously working towards making the business grow, Michael has hit milestones quickly and efficiently. One of the most incredible milestones that he takes pride in is how his team has grown and how these talented individuals have surpassed every expectation set.

Knowing that they no longer need him and continue to thrive shows a mark of empowerment they hold, and he respects them for their achievements.

"My achievement is simply working to build a team that finds me unnecessary. Being useless…that's my milestone," he chuckles.

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Today, In Home Personal Services holds numerous advantages that differentiate the brand from others

Now, In Home Personal Services has taken a different turn to be more diverse and accessible to all. Many of their best projects are the biggest and best differentiators, which are years in the making and are set to launch this year. One project that the company is most proud of is the launch of the Matthews education website, a one-of-a-kind platform for caregiver training and certification for all 50 states. Michael believes that this venture will distinguish them in several ways within the industry and provide another advantage as a franchise system throughout the country.

“There are a lot of factors that make In Home Personal Services unique. The way we see clients' needs and deliver care makes us stand out in the industry. There will be a lot of quality providers out there, thank goodness, but even among those elite providers, we stand out,” states Michael. The shared commitment of Michel and his team and the resources they have dedicated to ensuring the quality of patient care is ever innovating. Today, In Home Personal Services holds numerous advantages that differentiate the brand from others. “While many companies may attempt to copy us, being the original makes us unique,” adds Michael.

Planning Forward With the pandemic hitting every industry, In Home Personal Services was mainly concerned with keeping their clients safe, as they faced more stress with the situation than the caregivers did. "It was our job to care for them during this time and bring about peace of mind and ease their fears. It's part of the job. We were as ready as can be expected," shares Michael.

Going forward, safety remains a major concern of Michael and the team. "The pandemic taught us all in the industry some very tough lessons. I would not characterize this as a learning experience because Covid is not the only virus or infectious disease we have dealt with. We were already prepared. This was new, but not completely foreign as far as our own policy and procedures. So, we worked to ensure patient safety, learn, and yes, now we are even more prepared going forward,” concludes Michael.

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EXPERT OPINION

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Reel Vs Real:

OTT Viewers Struggle To Find Balance In The New Age Of Media Consumption Arshdeep Singh Mundi, MD, Jujhar Group

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mid consistent technological advancements, mankind’s dependency on gadgets has led to the rise of social media and other digital platforms.

With time and mobility becoming almost as essential as money in the digital age, consumer habits have witnessed a drastic change in the market.

Akin to social media which continues to aid users and businesses, Over-the-top (OTT) media services have emerged as a major game-changer in the entertainment industry. Gone were the days, when we had to schedule our day in a bid to accommodate the listing of our favorite show. Thanks to OTT platforms, the newage consumer now has the luxury of consuming their favorite content at a time of their own convenience.

Arshdeep Singh Mundi, MD, Jujhar group, belongs to the next generation of entrepreneurs taking Jujhar group to new heights with his leadership and unshakeable ambition.

An undergraduate from the Royal Holloway University of London and a postgraduate from the prestigious Indian School of businesses.

Rise Of OTT Say goodbye to the archaic television set-ups and other traditional methods that once dictated the way we consumed content. The persistent digital drive has facilitated an effortless transition for viewers to switch from TV sets to the OTT platforms. Today, all it takes is a reliable internet connection and a supporting gadget to browse through the enviable collection of content the OTT platforms have to offer.

The year 2010 saw a greater emphasis on OTT media services which, in turn, led to the emergence of competitive platforms including the likes of BIGFlix, Ditto TV and SonyLiv among others in the Indian market. While the aforementioned portals focussed on offering the same content that was being aired on TV, Hotstar (rechristened as Disney+Hotstar in India) led to the rise of unique content in 2015 which has allowed it to remain the most subscribed OTT platform in the country.

The Driving Force Though the digital rise did act as a precursor for the emergence of OTT platforms, the current market scenario is equally bolstered by the demands of consumers, especially in terms of the quality of the content. An active media consumer is no longer interested in the old formats and traditional approaches to content. And, that is primarily in lieu to their capabilities of skepticism, judgment, free thought, questioning, and comprehension.

As statistics suggest, 84 percent of adults (aged 18 to 29) claim to use social media sites at least once a week, which is similar to the share (81 percent) of those aged between 30 and 49. In comparison, a slightly smaller proportion of those aged 50 to 64 (73 percent)

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say they use social media sites, while fewer than half of those aged 65 and older (45 percent) admit they do.

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A greater interest in OTT platforms from the consumers in the Indian market attracted the global moguls like HBO, CBS, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix among others

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How Much Is Too Much?

A greater interest in OTT platforms from the consumers in the Indian market attracted the global moguls like HBO, CBS, Amazon Prime Video and Netflix among others. While their entry in the Indian market did spell good news for the viewers, the existing OTT platforms in the country faced an imminent threat.

Established media groups like Amazon Prime Video and Netflix who operate on a much bigger budget and production costs continue to spoil viewers for choice. However, the already-existing platforms in the country struggle with limited budgets. Thus, in a bid to give the big firms a run for their money, such OTT platforms strive to produce unique content which, at times, turn out to be insensitive.

There are growing concerns over the treatment of sensitive subjects on shows and movies. The quality of the content might leave the viewers thoroughly entertained but it’s the socio-emotional consequences that one ends up facing which has led to growing chants over the censorship on OTT platforms.

Reel vs Real Offered with a promise of bringing people closer, social media has undoubtedly become the way of life. With an increased dependency on the internet, everything is digital which, in turn, has allowed us to be ourselves on social media. Our social media profiles are supposed to be an extension of who we are in the real world. But, today, that’s more of a personal choice.

Influenced by popular culture including shows and movies, it’s safe to say that our social media profiles have become what others think of us. Similarly, our social media habits and behaviors allow users to stay relevant and remain in sync with ongoing trends.

While it might lead to a few likes and even followers, it may not always be the right thing to do.

Replicating certain scenes or even dialogues can unintentionally make a user a vital cog in the promotion of questionable content. This is where, concerns over insensitive content attracting calls for censorship on OTT platforms seem valid. It’s the ongoing battle to find the right balance between entertainment, which may not align with the ideology of certain elements in the society, and relatability, which allows us to connect with the media content. Thus, for the OTT viewers, the preference currently hangs in balance.

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Higher Education Digest July 2020

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LEADER’S INSIGHTS

HOW CAN LUXURY BRANDS STAY RELEVANT IN METAVERSE SPACE? Tushar Gandotra, Co-founder, FiEx

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Tushar Gandotra is the chief executive officer and founder of FiEx, a leading platform that offers safe and secure digital assets and NFT transactions. Graduated with a Bachelor of Computer Application (BCA), Tushar received his Master’s from Symbiosis Centre, IT Pune.

Tushar has always been enthusiastic about integrating technology into business and in his current strategic role as CEO, he’s powering the growth of FiEx through devising strategies and implementing plans.

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uxury brands can leverage the growing influence of metaverse though they need to take a measured and calculated approach to win over customers in the digital space.

Metaverse: New Buzz Word The term metaverse is getting more popular by the day. It has found mention in many new discourses and unsurprisingly, we have also heard the term from the top echelons of the industry, be it Mark Zuckerberg of Meta or Satya Nadella of Microsoft.

Like it's growing mentions, the value of metaverse as an industry is also booming. According to an estimate

by Bloomberg, the category will soon reach the mark of

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$800 billion, indicating the rising interest of the masses in digitally connected and immersive universes.

What’s there in store for Luxury Brands?

With such an immense potential to tap into, brands are jumping onto the bandwagon of the metaverse. Right from the gaming industry to online fashion and from social media platforms to sportswear companies, everyone is scrambling to have their share of the pie. Specifically, luxury brands catering to the top-tier customers are finding metaverse aligned with their aspirations.

That said, remaining relevant even amidst the constantly evolving digital space is not an easy job to accomplish. And this is exactly what prompted

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Luxury brands catering to the top-tier customers are finding metaverse aligned with their aspirations

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us to come up with specific guidelines that luxury brands must adhere to carve a place for themselves on metaverse platforms: a) Stay updated with evolving paradigms: In order to stay relevant in the age of metaverse, it is essential for luxury brands to keep up with changing business paradigms. For example, Dolce & Gabbana luxury fashion brand that holds the record for selling an NFT collection of 9 pieces for $5.7 million made clever use of marketing campaigns to promote NFTs as “Gems that can’t be found on the earth”.

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Aspiring luxury brands can come together to make partnerships and work on a common platform for spawning new products or services in the digital space Similarly sportswear brand Nike created Nikeland on the platform of Roblox to enable buyers to try their virtual sneakers. The primary idea behind the Nikeland is to make visitors aware of physical activity and its importance in enhancing the quality of their life. b) Convincing Logic: Creation of digital assets on metaverse is one thing but getting maximum value for it is another. The principle of exclusivity works well for the pricing but that’s not enough. What luxury brands need rather is the combination of exclusivity and logic.

Take, for instance, the DressX. The digital fashion app recently revealed that the carbon footprint of one

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digital item created on the internet is 97% less than that corresponding to the physical garment. As the garment industry is responsible for 10% of the total carbon dioxide emissions globally, this logic can immediately ring a bell with most potential buyers. c) NFT Merchandise: This is possibly the most important and lucrative opportunity available for luxury brands to expand in the metaverse sphere. Brands can partner with like-minded organisations to come up with their exclusive digital avatars and promote these among the communities.

For example, the Genies fashion community recently came together with Universal Music Group to launch their digital avatars specifically targeted at Gen-Z customers.

Along the same lines, luxury brands can capitalise on the opportunity and come up with their own exclusives for finding favour with potential buyers. In fact, many NFT platforms are also looking to extend these kinds of partnerships with celebrities and other brands for better visibility and customer reach. d) Collaborative Approach: The fact that metaverse space is in a state of constant churn calls for the adoption of a collaborative approach. Aspiring luxury brands can come together to make partnerships and work on a common platform for spawning new products or services in the digital space.

This collaborative approach can be taken one step further by sharing the blueprints and resources for the project that participating organisations intend to achieve as an end result. This approach can also help the industry to build a common repository of the standards and frameworks for helping future projects. e) Avoid Quantum Leap: Although it might sound counterintuitive, it's better for brands to start slow and start small. Metaverse is making its way into consumers’ psychology and instead of making far-fetching decisions, brands should explore each and every facet of this emerging space in detail before going ahead. As buying habits in digital space are considerably different from the physical world, it’s recommended for the companies to explore the space incrementally rather than trying to grab the entire market in a single stroke.

Conclusion Adoption of metaverse in the business philosophy is an ideal scenario that luxury brands should strive for.

Of course, the way ahead is challenging especially considering the fledgling nature of the domain but the enormous potential virtual worlds offer to luxury brands make it worth all the effort, time, and investment.

SlimYoo

slimyoo.com

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