The 10 Most Inspiring CEOs Making a Difference in 2023

VOL-04 | ISSUE-10 | 2023 The Prospects of Innova?on The Importance of Most Con?nuous Learning and Self-improvement for CEOs and Business Leaders Inspiring Novel Insights Disrup?ve Innova?on and the Role of the CEO in Driving Change Making a Difference in 2023 Christopher Carter Founder and CEO Approyo CHRISTOPHER CHRISTOPHER Committed to Empower Sheer Excellence Carter

Be the C CE EO O of your own Life

Spotlighting these charismas and their odyssey of he business world is constantly changing; business excellence, the latest edition of Insights Success, “The 10 leaders are adapting to new challenges and T T Most Inspiring CEOs Making a Difference in 2023,” opportunities. They are flexible and open to new features the CEOs who are making a positive difference in ideas and are willing to pivot their strategy when necessary. their respective industries in 2023. In the dynamic business arena, an inspiring CEO is true to themselves and their values. They are honest and These CEOs are not only successful in their businesses but transparent with their team and are able to build trust also lead with purpose and have a significant impact on through their authenticity. A CEO who is empathetic and their communities and the world. Flip through the pages understands the needs of their team can create a positive and indulge in this saga of brilliance. and supportive work environment. Have a delightful read! A successful business leader is often the driving force behind a company's growth and success. A CEO possesses various traits that create a difference from the rest and can motivate and inspire their team to reach new heights. An inspiring CEO has a clear and compelling vision for their company's future. They are able to articulate this vision in a way that motivates their team and creates a sense of purpose. A leader who is passionate about their work can inspire others to share that passion. They are enthusiastic about their company's mission and are willing to go above and beyond to achieve their goals. An excellent CEO is able to make tough decisions quickly and confidently. They weigh the pros and cons of each option and make a choice based Showcasing Brilliance of Showcasing Brilliance of on what is best for the company. Abhishek Joshi They listen to their employees and are able to address their concerns in a thoughtful and compassionate way. Building a successful company is not without its challenges, and an the Gems of the Gems of inspiring CEO is able to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward. They are tenacious and persistent in the face of adversity. A CEO possesses a combination of vision, passion, decisiveness, adaptability, authenticity, empathy, and resilience. These traits enable them to lead their team to success and create a positive impact on the Business Arena Business Arena world.

Contents Cover Story 16 24 32 36 Nicolae Buldumac 16 Leading the Charge in Innovation and Growth 08 Paige Arnof-Fenn 24 Enabling Immense Business Growth C X O Digital Revolution and Innovative Technologies 32 Commerce Reinvents itself to meet the challenges of the Digital Age Navigating the Future 36 How Emerging Technologies Are Shaping Business CHRISTOPHER A r t i c a l Committed to Empower Sheer Excellence Novel Insights Prospects of Innovation Carter 28 20 The Importance of Continuous Learning Disruptive Innovation and the Role and Self-improvement for CEOs and of the CEO in Driving Change Business Leaders

Contents Cover Story 16 24 32 36 Nicolae Buldumac 16 Leading the Charge in Innovation and Growth Paige Arnof-Fenn 24 Enabling Immense Business Growth C X O Digital Revolution and Innovative Technologies 32 Commerce Reinvents itself to meet the challenges of the Digital Age Navigating the Future 36 How Emerging Technologies Are Shaping Business CHRISTOPHER A r t i c a l Committed to Empower Sheer Excellence Novel Insights Prospects of Innovation Carter 28 20 The Importance of Continuous Learning Disruptive Innovation and the Role and Self-improvement for CEOs and of the CEO in Driving Change Business Leaders

The Most Inspiring Editor-in-Chief Merry D'Souza Making a Difference Deputy Editor Executive Editor Assistant Editor Abhishek Joshi Jenny Fernandes Anish Miller in 2023 Company Name Featured Person Brief Art & Design Director Associate Designer Visualizer Adeshina Adewumi is a social entrepreneur, MB100 2021 David King Ankita Pandharpure Revati Badkas Entrepreneur committed to using technology to support small Adeshina Adewumi Trade Lenda retail businesses as regards Access to market and Finance CEO tradelenda.com across emerging markets. Senior Sales Managers Business Development Manager Bailey is a results-driven entrepreneur with a passion for Bailey Jordan The Jordan Group Sihanee M., Rouniyar A. Simon, Niwrutti Sawant helping business leaders develop, launch and manage CEO Jordancollective.com successful companies, products and services. Marketing Manager Sales Executives Bruce Magown is the Founder, Chairman and CEO at the Bruce Magown InterWeave and is supported by a passionate team that is Integration Technologies Akash, JD Tim Founder, Chairman empowering businesses of all kinds with CRM integrated interweave.biz and CEO solutions. Technical Head Business Development Executives With almost 30 years of experience in the SAP industry, Christopher M. Carter founded Approyo to provide full SAP Jacob Smile Steve, Joe Approyo Christopher Carter service technology with extensive capabilities in hosting and approyo.com Founder and CEO managing services, upgrades, and migration of its clients, running any AP-supported core functionality. Technical Specialist Digital Marketing Manager Dupe Olusola serves as the Managing Director/CEO Transcorp Dominique T. Prachi Mokashi Dupe Olusola Hotels Plc., Africa's leading hospitality brand; and owners of Transcorp Hotels PLC Managing Director the award winning Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja & Transcorp transcorphotelsplc.com and CEO Hotels Calabar. Research Analyst SME-SMO Executive Royal Holloway graduate, Nicolae has learned well to express Frank Adams Sagar Lahigade Global Database Nicolae Buldumac himself in an easy-to-follow way for professionals and globaldatabase.com Founder and CEO beginners alike Database Management Technology Consultant Circulation Manager Paige is a creative, strategic thinker who exudes energy and Mavens and Moguls Paige Arnof-Fenn enthusiasm and she continues to identify and address strategic Stella Andrew David Stokes Robert Brown mavensandmoguls.com Founder and CEO marketing opportunities. sales@insightssuccess.com An accomplished CEO with a track record of success in Hafan Cymru business development and Project Management whilst working Sian Morgan April, 2023 hafancymru.co.uk for a variety of Government Bodies and private sector CEO organisations. Thierry M. enables customer experience by providing highly Paytweak Thierry M. innovative payment services through Social networks, instant Paytweak.com CEO messaging applications, ultra-secured E-mails and texts. Follow us on : www.facebook.com/insightssuccess/ www.twitter.com/insightssuccess We are also available on : MO Technologies Veronica considers herself a creative mind with a clear focus on Veronica Crisafulli Copyright © 2023 Insights Success, All rights reserved. The content and images used in this magazine should not be reproduced or transmitted in any motecnologias.com innovation in the digital space and financial inclusion. CEO form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from Insights Success. Reprint rights remain solely with Insights Success.

Cover Story CHRISTOPHER Committed to Empower Sheer Excellence Carter Christopher Carter Founder and CEO Approyo Approyo has a firm mission to support any company running SAP software and to support them with the best skilled and most supportive staff members around the planet.

The 10 Most Inspiring CEOs Making a Difference in 2023 ransformation is imperative for most companies CEOs keep their promises, finish their work, communicate One thing that I continue to learn today is that you have to today.In a fast-paced environment marked by effectively, share company news on time, and make time be very careful about whom you hire, especially when it T digitization, organizations face threats that emerge and resources available to employees. When a CEO is comes to consultants in overseas capacities; too many faster and from a broader range of competitors than ever dependable, employees can have faith in the organization's times, they are working for two 3-4 different companies at before. In this environment, some businesses must potential. the same time, and it just is a disruption on you your transform their organizations to stay competitive, while company and your remaining staff. others are experiencing a decline in performance and Striving towards the horizons of success with all these require drastic measures to turn things around. attributes that exhibit exceptional leadership and sheer Tell us something more about your company and its brilliance is Christopher Carter, CEO of Approyo. mission and vision. As a result, CEOs cannot concentrate solely on short-term operational improvements. They must also present a With almost 30 years of experience in the SAP industry, Approyo has a firm mission to support any company strategy for new growth—the transformation's success Christopher Carter founded Approyo to provide full SAP running SAP software and to support them with the best chapter. This entails challenging the firm's business model's service technology with extensive capabilities in hosting skilled and most supportive staff members around the foundations, developing a new vision for growth (via new and managing services, upgrades, and migrating its clients, planet. products, services, and value propositions), and a pure running any AP-supported core functionality. commitment to innovation. We provide full SAP service technology with extensive Under Christopher's adept leadership, Approyo provides capabilities in hosting and managing services upgrades and There are additional traits and abilities that come with full SAP service technology with extensive capabilities in migrations for our customers running any SAP-supported confidence. When CEOs are confident in themselves, they hosting and managed services, upgrades, and migrations for core functionality. Our true mission is to ensure that the also have confidence in the company they are in charge of, its customers, running any SAP-supported core customer can sleep soundly at night and not be interrupted One of the things that caught my eye early in 1984 was its employees, and the work everyone completes to bring functionality. by any sort of outage or support issue; we put your mind to computers. I literally bought the first Commodores Vic 20. even more success to the organization. ease. It was the first time I ever coded on a computer. It was a With over a thousand SAP environments under cool experience. I had seagulls flying across my screen, and Some of the best CEOs are genuinely enthusiastic about management around the globe, the organization supports Enlighten us on the impact of your work through your I was soon creating my own video games and code. their work and the company they lead. This is usually businesses from production landscapes to migrations onto expertise in the market. because they believe in the mission statement and values of SAP S/4 HANA. Some of the trials and tribulations as I went through college the company and want others to do the same. Employees I feel that you can see the impact of our work in the market learning about a new SAP creativity called R3 were surreal. notice these qualities in their leaders and are inspired to In this exclusive interview with Insights Success, almost every day. We are still known as one of the first There were highs and lows growths and stunts, but at the emulate them in their work. Christopher shares valuable facts highlighting his partner companies to launch an SAP production end of the day, it's not how many times you get knocked professional tenure, journey, and the significance of environment in an encapsulated VM or cloud environment. down. It's how many times you get up and keep moving Approyo as a global leader in the dynamic business arena. When we launched that at sapphire, phones were ringing, forward. Can you take a punch? Can you take a hit and text messages were going off questions were being asked keep moving forward? Below are the excerpts from the interview: how is this possible? This is not approved yet; who's doing this, and why are they doing this? Finally, it came down to As Sylvester Stallone quoted in the great movie rocky, I Brief our audience about your journey as a business someone finding me, Christopher Carter, immediately! was fortunate in my early years to be able to run with some leader until your current position at Approyo. What SAP folks who have taken to executive positions; having challenges have you had to overcome to reach where you Our expertise starts in the SAP landscape and that clouded good friends in the ecosystem is always exciting and are today? environment that companies use to run the environment. beneficial. We can share ideas, thoughts and concepts with With we believe in taking full control and working hand in each other. People work for me and with me, My journey has been a long and winding trail of success hand with our partners and our customers on a day-in and but I also treat them as if some and failure of highs and lows of growth and stagnation. It's day-out basis, so our expertise in the marketplace shines Even when I was highly leveraged in one of my companies, one thing that makes me proud of my current status in this through with every customer that we work with and every with one of our clients taking up 70% of all billable family members would be treated journey, as every executive will learn, and every executive partner that we engage with. activities, and when that came crashing down, I learned like bringing them inside the fence. knows no path is a straight line. very quickly the next direction not to put all my eggs in one Describe in detail the values and the work culture that basket. the planet. As such, I started out as a young man in Wisconsin, having drives your organization. grown up in the home of a parent who was on the social I also learned very quickly to trust other executives and welfare system. We lived in and out of different homes with The values we bring to the table internally as an team members. Why did I learn this? Because some different friends and coaches throughout my youth. As we organization start at the top. I know many companies like to offshore team members out into the world of SAP do it for finally settled down for my high school years, I gravitated write a mission or value statement, and then it's just a piece no other reason than to hide and be disruptive to the toward business and athletics. of paper not for me. ecosystem.

I know what it's like to be that consultant on the road. I complete view of that IT infrastructure, including networks, be able to interact with them a little bit more 16 and 18- know what it's like to be the executive behind the desk servers, cloud containers, and applications. hour days for 30 years is getting a little old, but I am not worried about their systems being secured or unsecured and slowing down anytime soon. being attacked being vulnerable. We help companies avoid issues before they even occur and provide the 24 by 7—365 effective monitoring of the data I so want to help this ecosystem and the companies within I know what it's like to have those tough conversations and systems no matter how complex your landscape is. So the SAP ecosystem to be successful. The upgrade cycle that through HR. I know what it's like to have tough as such, owning and building from scratch, this tool set we are in is the strongest and most vulnerable upgrade cycle conversations with my staff members, so the work culture gives us an advantage in helping our customers to be I've ever been a part of since the 1990s when we started the that I've tried to cultivate is semi-family. At the end of the successful and helping you sleep easily at night. R3 upgrade cycle. day, I get it. What change would you like to bring to the IT industry Imagine that 1/2 a million customers need to upgrade to the People work for me and with me, but I also treat them as if if given a chance? new S4, and because of that, I am motivated every day to some family members would be treated like bringing them help them to succeed because mind you, it is a strong, tough inside the fence. I may be a little bit more open with staff What would I change? Well, I would love to have every upgrade with all the modifications and changes companies members than maybe most companies would be, but I also company running SAP software working with us so they make day in, and day out on their system it is not easy. feel that by being a part of a team and being part of a family can see how we put their minds at ease and how we, as an and working together hand in hand with my staff. organization, are there for them to help us all become better But I sure do love having conversations and helping SAP-run customers. What else would I change? I want to organizations take that step. As I like to say, "Let's all rise A quick story of one of my staff members who has been change the ability for more encryption from a data together," and let's be successful for your landscape. with us for several years now was a very green SAP perspective. What, according to you, could be the next significant What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs consultant out of college. He was very motivated, wanted to change in the IT sector? How is your company who aspire to venture into the IT sector? learn, and took the extra initiative. Homomorphic encryption and AI-based tools are going to preparing to be a part of that change? be a future for everyone. We just started using those tools Do it…do it…do it…do it…there is nothing greater in my I've tried to give him every opportunity to be what he wants two years ago, and they're seeing dramatic success results As I mentioned above, I firmly believe that homomorphic with data monitoring support and proactive activities that life other than my daughters and family than having started to be, no matter if it's with the cloud side of the business, encryption and AI-based tools are the future of IT. As I the basis side of the business, or wherever that leads him help customers not only in the SAP ecosystem but across multiple companies and have grown them and nurturing stated also above, we've already started using those tools in year after year after year. He has grown, and he has taken their entire landscape around the globe. them and going in knowing that when I get up at 5:00 situations to monitor and maintain landscapes across the new courses. o'clock in the morning, I may be the first one up. Still, I'm globe. We are at the forefront of an empidid where Approyo will preparing the company for success; it's on me. It's on my He has learned new SAP tools, and he has grown in our lead By example and by success from our customers around shoulders. When our tool is enacted and supported across an entire company every year. He has been promoted within the the globe, and that's the great thing about this organization. landscape, the ticket reduction and the ability to see into the organization, and I value him as a person as well as a staff We have customers in Europe, Asia, the United States, and I'm the one that wants to help customers to succeed. Then future is greatly increased. I firmly believe that these tools member by his example. I hope I've led that way as an Latin America. We support them in so many different the second part of that is nurture, nurture other staff are going to revolutionize how a company is managed and example to everyone in the company. manners, core SAP ECC. We even have an R3 environment members bring in smarter people who know what you do supported. that we manage and run for an organization. Our team is not know to bring in staff members that will help let them Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in built around technology and how that technology can be be the Ying to your Yang. I no longer need 20 people to staff, manage and run a almost every sector. How are you leveraging utilized for everyone. landscape. I can install Overwatch in a very small way and technological advancements to make your solutions Watch your productivity grow as well as theirs, and then manage an entire landscape with a quarter of the people. I resourceful? help with the new generation behind you. Just because can now have you or us take the remaining staff members you're a young entrepreneur does not mean there's not a and use them for projects use them for new activities to Technology plays an incredibly significant role in our younger entrepreneur behind you. Remember, as you're grow your organizational structure and to keep you better company, from our cloud-based solutions with SAP to our growing and going up the ladder of success, reach your sleeping at night with ease. tools, specifically around our Overwatch tool, cloud-based hand back and help the next young entrepreneur come up management security, and AI-based tool set. the ladder of success. Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for Approyo? As a managed service provider in the SAP ecosystem, we understand how important IT total landscape infrastructure I so enjoy running this company. I love my staff, and to see is. We also understand how important your data is to the them talk with them on a day-to-day basis, I so enjoy going daily success of your business. There are many parts of to see our clients face to face as often as I can. That being your landscape that make management and monitoring a said, I also love my family, and as they get older, I want to complex task. Still, with Overwatch, we can quickly gain a

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The 10 Most Inspiring CEOs Making a Difference in 2023 Leading the Charge Nicolae Our commitment in Innovation and Growth to excellence, integrity, and Buldumac Buldumac Buldumac innovation drives the values and ffering organized and comprehensive datasets on My passion for data and technology motivated me to take a work culture at companies globally, which enables users to leap of faith and create a business that could help other Global Database. O explore business opportunities worldwide easily, companies leverage these assets to drive growth and Nicolae Buldumac launched Global Database. minimize risks. As the Founder and CEO, Nicolae utilized his decade's One of the most significant challenges was to build a team experience to elevate the company to newer heights. Under that shared my vision and could execute it effectively. Buldumac's leadership, Global Database has become one of Finding the right people took a lot of time and effort, but the leading providers of business intelligence and company eventually, we created a talented and dedicated team. data, serving clients in over 195 countries. Another challenge was gaining our customers' trust and The company's platform offers a wide range of data points, convincing them that our solutions could deliver real value. including financial information, contact details, company We had to prove that our data was the most up-to-date, structure, and more, making it an invaluable tool for genuine, and trustworthy. We had to show how our businesses looking to expand their operations or conduct technology could help them identify high-probability due diligence. prospects, verify, engage, and monitor new prospects while keeping tabs on existing business partners effectively. It We caught up with Nicolae and talked about his journey took a lot of hard work and perseverance, but we brought and where it headed next. proof-of-value solutions to hundreds of companies, including the London Stock Exchange, Amazon AWS, Below are the highlights of the interview: WeWork, and SAP. Brief our audience about your journey as a business Tell us more about your company's mission and vision. leader until your current position at Global Database. What challenges have you had to overcome to reach At Global Database, our mission is to provide structured where you are today? company datasets that enable businesses to explore opportunities globally, verify and approve financially stable As the CEO and Founder of Global Database, I have been and regulatory-compliant companies with high lead scores, on a challenging and rewarding journey over the past eight contact the right people at the right time, and grow their years. Before founding Global Database, I worked with business exponentially through data-driven decisions. some of the world's most recognizable companies, such as Our vision is to become the go-to global company Amazon and Fitch Ratings. These roles allowed me to intelligence hub that clients fully trust. This way, each develop my skills and knowledge in various areas, stakeholder can rely on our business intelligence engine to Nicolae Buldumac make informed business decisions and explore word-grade including market research, business intelligence, and Founder and CEO partnerships or growth opportunities. We are committed to customer engagement. Global Database accuracy, clarity, commitment, continuity, and trust value April 2023 | 16 | www.insightssuccess.com April 2023 | 17 | www.insightssuccess.com

In the business world, digital twins can help companies improve their operations by predicting and preventing problems, testing scenarios, and identifying opportunities for optimization. At Global Database, we're preparing to participate in this change by continuing to invest in our data and technology solutions. We aim to provide an exact replica of companies worldwide to deliver the best growth chance to each stakeholder. Where do you envision yourself to be in the long run, and what are your future goals for Global Database? As the CEO and Founder of Global Database, my long-term vision is to continue the journey of a market leader in business intelligence and data-driven solutions. I envision Global Database expanding its reach globally, serving more businesses across various industries and sectors. The company already provides innovative and disruptive solutions leveraging technology to drive growth and minimize business risks. I'd continue building a culture of innovation, transparency, and data-centricity within the organization to keep up with the ever-changing business landscape. The future goals for Global Database are to become the go- margins by constantly updating and validating company Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in to platform for businesses globally to access accurate and information, compiling profiles from reliable sources, almost every sector. How are you leveraging up-to-date company data. We aim to keep investing in providing dedicated support and guidance, recording technological advancements to make your solutions technology and automation to streamline our processes and updates, and using trustworthy sources. resourceful? provide customers with faster, more reliable service edges. We will continue to expand our data coverage to more Enlighten us on the impact of your work through your We leverage technological advancements such as machine regions and industries to offer our customers a expertise in the market. learning and automation to make our solutions more comprehensive business intelligence engine while resourceful and efficient. By doing so, we can provide our maintaining our commitment to transparency and data- At Global Database, our expertise in the market has had a clients with real-time data insights, automated workflows, centricity by continuously improving the quality and significant impact on businesses globally. Our data and and streamlined processes, enabling them to make data- accuracy of our data to help businesses confidently make technology solutions have helped companies of all sizes to driven decisions easily. However, we aren't relying solely data-driven decisions. identify potential prospects, verify them, and engage in on AI to source or organize data due to this paradigm's data-driven decision-making. Doing so has enabled our "black-box" paradox. Delivering accurate company insights Additionally, data-centricity is essential to creating What would you advise budding entrepreneurs who clients to drive growth and minimize risks, translating into and firmographics requires a human-machine duo to ensure solutions that meet customers' needs in a rapidly changing aspire to venture into the IT sector? increased revenue and profitability. transparency for our data-focused operations and be aware business landscape. when something doesn't quite fit. My advice to budding entrepreneurs who aspire to venture Describe in detail the values and the work culture that What, according to you, could be the next significant into the IT sector would be to focus on creating value for drives your organization. What change would you like to bring to the IT industry change in the IT sector? How is your company your clients. Develop solutions that solve real-world if given a chance? preparing to be a part of that change? problems and provide genuine benefits to your clients. Our commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation Additionally, stay up-to-date with the latest technological drives the values and work culture at Global Database. We I'd want to bring a stronger focus on transparency, I believe digital twins will be the following significant advancements and be willing to adapt and evolve your strive to provide our clients with the highest-quality data data-centricity, and effective operations to the IT industry. change in the IT sector. For those unfamiliar with the term, solutions accordingly. Finally, maintain a strong work ethic and technology solutions while ensuring complete Transparency is critical in building trust with customers and a digital twin is a virtual replica of a physical object, and remain committed to your goals, despite challenges and transparency and accountability in all our business dealings. partners and should be a fundamental value for any system, or process that allows for analysis and optimization setbacks. Our work culture is collaborative, empowering, and focused company operating in this space. in a simulated environment. on continuous learning and growth. April 2023 | 18 | www.insightssuccess.com April 2023 | 19 | www.insightssuccess.com

Novel Insights Disruptive Innovation and the Role of the CEO in Driving Change isruptive innovation is a concept that has been around for decades, but it is only recently that it D has become a buzzword in the business world. Disruptive innovation refers to the process by which a new product or service enters the market and disrupts the existing market, ultimately displacing established products and services. While disruptive innovation is often associated with startups and new entrants to the market, established companies can also drive disruptive innovation. However, driving disruptive innovation requires a company to take risks, invest in new technologies, and be willing to disrupt its own business model. This is where the CEO plays a crucial role. The CEO is responsible for setting the strategic direction of the company and making sure that the company is well- positioned to compete in the market. In order to drive disruptive innovation, the CEO needs to have a clear understanding of the market, the company's strengths and weaknesses, and the potential for disruption. April 2023 | 20 | www.insightssuccess.com April 2023 | 21 | www.insightssuccess.com

These leaders possess various traits that enable them to lead Ability to inspire and motivate: Visionary CEOs are able to their company towards a compelling vision for the future. inspire and motivate their team to achieve their vision for They are strategic thinkers, creative and innovative, the company. They are able to create a sense of purpose and passionate and committed, and able to inspire and motivate meaning for their employees, which leads to higher levels their team towards success. of engagement and productivity. The CEO must also be willing to take risks and invest in Customer-focused: Visionary CEOs are often customer- new technologies. This can be a difficult decision, as focused and are able to anticipate and meet the needs of investing in new technologies can be costly, and there is their customers. They are able to create products and always the risk of failure. However, without taking risks, a services that are not only innovative but also meet the needs company cannot innovate and disrupt the market. of their customers in a meaningful way. In addition to taking risks, the CEO must also be willing to One example of a CEO who successfully drove disruptive disrupt the company's own business model. This can be innovation is Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. Bezos challenging, as established companies often have a strong recognized the potential of e-commerce early on and sense of identity and may be resistant to change. However, invested heavily in the technology and infrastructure in order to drive disruptive innovation, the CEO must be needed to build an online retail giant. He was willing to willing to challenge the status quo and be open to new take risks and disrupt Amazon's own business model, such ideas. as when he introduced Amazon Web Services, which initially cannibalized the company's own retail business. Strong communication skills: CEOs are able to articulate However, this decision ultimately paid off, as AWS has their vision for the company in a clear and compelling way. become a major revenue stream for Amazon. They are also skilled at communicating their vision to their team, stakeholders, and customers. These leaders are able to In conclusion, disruptive innovation can be a powerful navigate challenges and setbacks with resilience and force in the business world, but it requires a CEO who is adaptability. willing to take risks, invest in new technologies, and disrupt the company's own business model. By doing so, the CEO They are able to learn from their failures and make can position the company for long-term success and ensure adjustments to their strategy as needed. Strategic thinking: that it remains competitive in a rapidly changing market. Visionary CEOs are strategic thinkers who are able to see the big picture and understand how different parts of the company fit together. They are able to anticipate trends and changes in the market and adapt their strategy accordingly. Creativity and innovation: Business leaders, especially CEOs, are often creative and innovative thinkers who are able to come up with new ideas and approaches. They are not afraid to take risks and are willing to experiment with new products, services, and business models. Passion and commitment: They are passionate about their vision for the company and are deeply committed to its success. They are willing to put in hard work and make sacrifices to achieve their goals. April 2023 | 22 | www.insightssuccess.com

The 10 Most Inspiring CEOs Making a Difference in 2023 Paige Arnof-Fenn Enabling Immense Business Growth n today's data-driven world, we all have information, What challenges have you had to overcome to reach statistics, and reports at our fingertips 24/7. However, where you are today? I accessing this information is only part of the challenge we face; great marketing leaders cut through the noise to My dad and both grandfathers were commercial bankers in find the signal, digesting data quickly and smartly to the South. I was always good with math and numbers, like identify the right metrics by which to measure their success. my dad, an Economics major in college. I started my career in NYC on Wall Street in the 80s, thinking I would follow Marketing doesn't operate in a silo; it's part of a cross- the 3 of them in finance, albeit a more intense path. Paige Arnof-Fenn functional business strategy. Successful leaders realize that Founder & CEO marketing is part of a relay race; their job is to get a I was good at the job, and it paid very well, but I did not Mavens & Moguls winning lead before handing off the baton to sales, who can really enjoy it at all, so I decided to return to grad school to convert that lead into an opportunity. get an MBA to figure out a better fit. There were really only 3 parts of my investment banking job I truly enjoyed -- This is where Paige Arnof-Fenn, Founder & CEO of upon completing a deal, transaction, merger or sale, I was Mavens & Moguls, excels in the niche as a strong leader responsible for planning the closing dinner, advertising it in with extraordinary strategies, resulting in vast business the financial trade publications, and buying a gift for the growth. team to commemorate and celebrate its completion. Moreover, under her steady leadership, Mavens & Moguls My friend pointed out to me that the parts of the job I most envisions a future where all organizations, regardless of size enjoyed were not, in fact, finance in nature at all. They were or budget, have access to the best marketing talent on an all under the marketing function—event planning, outsourced basis to help them find their audience with the advertising and promotions. right words and pictures to tell their stories in compelling ways. I also got the top grade in my first year required marketing course for my MBA and a great summer internship that led In an interview with Insights Success, Paige shares valuable to a full-time offer in marketing post-graduation. My friend facts highlighting her professional tenure and the was right and very perceptive; I was not meant to be a significance of Mavens & Moguls in the niche. banker after all but a marketer! Below are the excerpts from the interview: I worked at a series of more mainstream corporate jobs for 1-3.5 years at places like Procter & Gamble and Coke; then Brief our audience about your journey as a business I ran marketing at 3 successful venture-backed startups that leader until your current position at Mavens & Moguls. all had strong exits after 1-2 years each, so if you had told April 2023 | 24 | www.insightssuccess.com April 2023 | 25 | www.insightssuccess.com

me my longest job would be at a company I started I would With Zoom, social media, cell phones, etc. we see that When things work well, you never really know why, have said that's crazy yet here I am running a global technology does not have to be isolating; it can be used to but when there are problems, mistakes or failures, you branding and digital marketing firm that I started 20+ years build our real-world communities and relationships too! have a real learning opportunity to see which assumptions ago right after 9/11 when the startup I ran marketing for cut were incorrect, and that is the knowledge you will never their budget, so I hung out a shingle and the rest, as they What, according to you, could be the next significant forget again. The hard-fought lessons that come from say, is history. I guess that makes me an accidental change in the IT sector? How is your company age and experience are gold. Being in the trenches It is important to entrepreneur. preparing to be a part of that change? together is where I have met some of my best friends me to stay true to my core and colleagues though, those relationships are Tell us something more about your company and its I think AI and ChatGPT are already having major deep. beliefs. Loyalty is one of my core mission and vision. impact/making waves for entrepreneurs and SMBs, values—a commitment to especially when your task is low stakes, with high Looking back at what you once thought was a failure How we deliver on our vision has changed, but I fluency (i.e. writing copy); conversational AI is likely a could make you realize it was, in fact, a blessing in myself and to others whom think we are more relevant today than when we started good fit for the task. The possibilities for entrepreneurs disguise… I respect. 2+ decades ago; great stories never go out of style. I are everywhere to save time, increase productivity and want to bring world-class marketing talent and expertise replace jobs. Whether you were laid off, overlooked for the job or to organizations that want to make a difference in the did not get the full bonus you expected, as Winston world. Where do you envision yourself to be in the long Churchill said, failure is not fatal and being resilient is It is important to me to stay true to my core beliefs. Loyalty run, and what are your future goals for Mavens and really what matters in life; you have to keep trying again. is one of my core values—a commitment to myself and to Your core values and mission statement are intangible Moguls? My definition of success changed once I left corporate others whom I respect. It's important to me to gauge how assets that are your roadmap to success. They must evolve life to become an entrepreneur. many colleagues and customers come back and refer us to as you grow and are reflected in your branding because I have no idea where my business will go post-pandemic. those who trust them. Being true to the mission of the people choose to do business with companies that align Still, I have built a great foundation with interesting clients I realized I did not need to run a Fortune 500 company organization and delivering superior experiences matter to with their values, so this information needs to be visible to and colleagues who value communication and want to use to be happy; I love building a small business and me a lot too. them. Your mission also gives your team a clear objective, marketing best practices to make a difference in the world. growing it successfully. Entrepreneurship is scary, but which helps them to make decisions that align with the It has been a circuitous route to get here, but as Steve Jobs you can't wait for the perfect time to act; you just have Having the confidence to walk away from a client or company's purpose. said, only by looking backwards can you make real sense of to course correct as you get more feedback along the colleague who's diluting the equity in your brand is tough, connecting the dots in life. way. but it's necessary sometimes. You must always be authentic Enlighten us on the impact of your work through your to the essence of your brand and surround yourself with expertise in the market. I believe I am on the right path and am going to follow it Learn to get comfortable making decisions without people who reinforce your brand and its values--not tarnish and see where it goes. The lessons from the pandemic that perfect information. Entrepreneurs never give up on it. Since starting my business, I have joined boards and will stay with me include my gratitude and appreciation for their beliefs; dreams can become a reality when you volunteered at several organizations. I am a mentor to the the simplicity of good food, nature, my inner circle, pursue them with intention and courage. When you Undeniably, technology is playing a significant role in next generation of leaders and have helped build a very essential products/services and health. learn from every setback, you make better mistakes almost every sector. How are you leveraging successful anti-bullying program that >150,000 middle over time; in my experience, that is where you learn technological advancements to make your solutions school aged kids have gone through. As a marketing In my experience, the sayings are true: your network the most! You learn to do by doing. Course correct resourceful? consultant, I am able to write articles, contribute to books is your net worth, and your health is your wealth. and pivot along the way; it makes for a fun path and speak at events to share my experience and lessons Everything else is a distraction, so stay focused on in life. Technology is essential for my business today; it has learned. what matters most! been a lifeline throughout the pandemic. Pivoting to online meetings, webinars, etc., has been a smart and Volunteering is a great way to give back and get to What would be your advice to budding entrepreneurs? productive way that companies can continue to have know like-minded people who care about causes you conversations that educate and inform, build believe in. I am on the boards of several nonprofits; If I have learned anything in my career as an relationships and move forward during this crisis volunteering is the ultimate way to do well by doing entrepreneur, here are the lessons that have really stuck period. good. In my experience the more you give, the more with me: you get. Social media is also a great way to build your brand, Not getting what you want can lead you to magical increase your visibility more broadly, raise your profile Describe in detail the values and the work culture that outcomes, and you learn a lot more from failure than and attract more clients/customers. drives your organization. success in life. April 2023 | 26 | www.insightssuccess.com April 2023 | 27 | www.insightssuccess.com

Prospects of Innovation The Importance of Continuous Lening and Self-improvement for CEOs and Busine Leaders n today's rapidly changing business landscape, Driving Growth and Innovation: Continuous learning and continuous learning and self-improvement have self-improvement can also drive innovation and growth for I become essential for CEOs and business leaders. The the organization as a whole. By staying informed about the pace of technological change, global competition, and latest trends, tools, and strategies, leaders can identify new evolving consumer needs and preferences make it opportunities for growth and development. They can also imperative for leaders to stay abreast of the latest trends, inspire their teams to think creatively and come up with tools, and strategies. With the rise of new technologies, new ideas and approaches to business challenges. global competition, and evolving consumer preferences, it is more important than ever for leaders to stay ahead of the By driving innovation and growth, leaders can position curve and continuously update their skills, knowledge, and their companies for long-term success in a rapidly changing strategies. market. It can also create a competitive advantage that can set them apart from their competitors. Here are some of the key reasons why continuous learning and self-improvement are so important for CEOs and Adapting to changing market conditions: Market conditions business leaders. are constantly evolving, and CEOs and business leaders must be able to adapt to these changes. This includes Keeping up with technological changes: Technology is changes in consumer preferences, shifts in industry trends, advancing at an unprecedented pace, and CEOs and and the emergence of new competitors. By staying business leaders must stay up to date with the latest trends informed about these changes and continually learning and tools. about new approaches to marketing, sales, and product development, leaders can position their companies for This includes emerging technologies such as Artificial success in a rapidly changing market. Intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things, as well as the latest advancements in software, hardware, and Building new skills and knowledge: Continuous learning cybersecurity. By staying informed about the latest and self-improvement enable CEOs and business leaders to technology trends, leaders can make more informed build new skills and knowledge that can be applied to their decisions about investments in technology, develop new businesses. This includes skills such as leadership, products and services, and improve business processes. communication, negotiation, and strategic planning. April 2023 | 28 | www.insightssuccess.com April 2023 | 29 | www.insightssuccess.com

By investing in their own development, leaders can become Experiment and take risks: Experimenting with new more effective at leading their teams, driving innovation, approaches and taking risks can be a powerful way to learn and achieving business goals. and grow as a leader. This can involve trying new marketing strategies, developing new products or services, Inspiring and motivating employees: CEOs and business or exploring new business models. leaders who demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement can inspire and motivate Thriving with Emerging Technology their employees. When employees see their leaders investing in their own development, they are more likely to One of the critical reasons why CEOs and business leaders be engaged and motivated to learn and grow themselves. must commit to continuous learning is to keep up with This creates a culture of continuous learning and technological advancements. Technology is advancing at an improvement, which can drive innovation and success for unprecedented rate, and businesses must embrace digital the entire organization. transformation to stay competitive. Leaders who do not invest in their knowledge of technology risk falling behind Driving innovation and growth: Continuous learning and their competitors. self-improvement can also drive innovation and growth for the organization as a whole. By staying informed about the By staying informed about the latest trends, tools, and latest trends, tools, and strategies, leaders can identify new strategies, leaders can make informed decisions about opportunities for growth and development. They can also investments in technology. This can include emerging inspire their teams to think creatively and come up with technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and new ideas and approaches to business challenges. the Internet of Things, as well as the latest advancements in software, hardware, and cybersecurity. It can also enable So how can CEOs and business leaders engage in them to develop new products and services and improve continuous learning and self-improvement? Here are some business processes. strategies: Journey towards Innovation Attend conferences and seminars: Conferences and seminars are a great way to stay up to date with the latest In conclusion, the importance of continuous learning and trends and developments in your industry. They also self-improvement for CEOs and business leaders cannot be provide an opportunity to network with other leaders and overstated. With the ever-changing business landscape and share ideas. increasing competition, it is crucial for leaders to stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and best Read books and articles: Reading books and articles is an practices. Moreover, continuous learning and self- easy and accessible way to learn about new ideas and improvement not only benefits the individual but also their approaches to business. This can include books on organizations as it leads to better decision-making, leadership, business strategy, marketing, and other relevant innovation, and overall business success. topics. As such, CEOs and business leaders should make it a Take courses and training programs: There are a wide priority to invest in their personal growth and development variety of courses and training programs available online through various learning opportunities such as workshops, and in person. These can be focused on specific skills, such courses, and mentorship programs. By doing so, they can as public speaking or data analysis, or on broader topics effectively lead their organizations towards success and such as leadership or innovation. create a culture of continuous learning and growth. Seek out mentorship: Finding a mentor can be a great way to learn from someone who has more experience or expertise in a particular area. Mentors can provide guidance and support, as well as share their own experiences and insights. April 2023 | 30 | www.insightssuccess.com

CXO Digital Revolution and Innovative Technologies Commerce Reinvents itself to meet the Challenges of the Digital Age oday, new technologies and digital revolutions are a We can already see the enthusiasm from all over the world key factor for success. They create real for the GPT chat, but we need to understand that this is just T opportunities for companies, entrepreneurs and all the tip of the iceberg. professionals who want to grow. AI will provide greater security and a better user In fact, the emergence of artificial intelligence and the experience. This includes identifying fraud risks and blockchain are now offering perspectives that can be both suspicious behaviour, as well as taking preventative attractive and worrying at the same time. On the one hand, measures to avoid fraudulent transactions. they can improve performance and efficiency in order to differentiate a company from its competitors; on the other It can also provide data and trend analysis to better hand, they also create anxiety among people and in the understand how users behave and pay. Finally, it can be world of work. used to provide personalised advice and recommendations to help increase conversion rates and optimise the payment Since the pandemic, we have been witnesses to the experience, while ensuring that security is maintained. emergence and democratisation of new technologies that have accelerated the transformation of use. Blockchain is the trust technology that is changing the world, and highlighting the new era of the internet. In fact, Covid has been both a disaster and the best manager of it has the potential to revolutionise business, money, digital transformation in the enterprise. It has forced government and society. consumer behaviour to change, to adapt to ever greater fluidity, security, personalisation and speed. For the first time in human history, people around the world can trust each other and transact directly. Trust is Those who have seized the opportunity to transform and established not by a large institution, but by collaboration, focused on long-term goals have been able to grow their cryptography and smart codes. Thanks to blockchain, we business significantly. are entering a radical new evolution in the way we interact and trade, reducing the doubts we have about others in Artificial intelligence, blockchain, machine learning, order to exchange value with confidence. cryptology... The latest technologies are at the heart of Paytweak. They ensure the security of all remote bank Since 2015, in order to offer an innovative, disruptive and and PSP transactions. secure payment solution, Paytweak has chosen to use these technologies, the trusted private blockchain. Machine In the coming years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play an learning to learn from the transactions recorded, especially important role in improving the world of payments and fraudulent ones, and finally artificial intelligence to select transaction security. and advise the merchant in accepting payments. April 2023 | 32 | www.insightssuccess.com April 2023 | 33 | www.insightssuccess.com

The aim is to register each transaction in a perpetual chain by associating it with a profile token. This will create an intelligence base to increase trust but also to combat fraud. Online payment: the Covid-era solution for businesses. Businesses have been forced to reinvent themselves as the health crisis and its economic fallout have significantly altered our consumer habits. This has led to an increase in the demand for digital payments and an acceleration in the growth of e-commerce. The lock-in period has thus highlighted the importance of those involved in online payments! For the payment ecosystem, which has made its activities almost transparent to customers (immediacy, ease of use, security), this difficult period has been full of lessons and challenges. Moreover, crises are often an opportunity for companies to reorganise their operations and focus on innovation and technology. A blessing in disguise for those willing to seize these opportunities. With the right strategy and drive, a company in any industry can grow and reach new heights. This requires the introduction of secure and flexible Many changes are afoot. The changing regulatory payment solutions in an increasingly omnichannel world. environment, PSD2, increased payment security, 3DS2 Email, SMS, WhatsApp and even chat payment links have migration are all important allies in protecting against proven invaluable in offering customers services like click- fraud, improving the customer experience and reducing and-deliver, click-and-collect and a secure alternative to costs. telephone orders. Instant transfer is a secure, paperless solution that fits This interactive shopping experience increases customer perfectly with current trends and benefits all stakeholders, loyalty and becomes a success factor for all merchants, including banks, payment service providers, merchants and regardless of size. consumers. Our future is digital Another trend to keep an eye on is the development of voice commerce. Voice assistants are on the rise and their Surrounding yourself with the right partners is key to use is sure to increase with the growing trend for consumers meeting the challenges of new technologies and seizing the to do their shopping from home. Therefore, a promising opportunities they offer. Everyone will agree that market for commerce is the shopping experience that successfully transforming your business and delivering the combines voice and secure payment. Paytweak saw this best customer experience is one of the best levers to coming back in 2017 with the creation of VoicePay®, a success. secure voice payment solution initially designed for call centers and now expanding to voice assistants. With streamlined, secure and innovative online experiences, you're ready to meet the challenges of the digital age and The crisis has made it necessary to think about opening up transform your business. to other sales channels and the creation of new services, while at the same time meeting one imperative: the customer experience. April 2023 | 34 | www.insightssuccess.com April 2023 | 35 | www.insightssuccess.com

CXO How Emerging Technologies Are Shaping Business he landscape of business is changing at a never- Applications of Emerging Technologies in Business before-seen rate thanks to emerging technology. T Businesses that are in the loop of the most recent As we've seen, new technologies are revolutionizing how developments might acquire a sizable competitive edge and organizations operate. These are some examples of how remain ahead of the curve. businesses are utilizing these technologies to streamline their processes: Emerging Technologies in Business Blockchain: Walmart is tracking the origin and movement The way organizations work is changing as a result of of its products using this technology, giving customers upcoming technologies like blockchain, 5G, IoT, and more transparency and assurance that their food is safe. AR/VR. Development is being revolutionized by no-code IBM is collaborating with a number of significant shipping platforms, while AI is automating procedures and businesses to create blockchain-based supply chain improving customer service. Virtual events and immersive management systems that will assist to decrease fraud and consumer experiences are becoming more and more expedite procedures. accesible because of the metaverse. Companies who properly use these technologies will be better positioned to 5G: AT&T is collaborating with a number of manufacturers prevail in a market that is becoming more and more to create smart factories powered by 5G, allowing quicker competitive. We’ll look at these new technologies and their and more effective production techniques. Real-time data possible commercial uses. and virtual replays will be available to fans during games thanks to a partnership between Verizon and the NFL. The newest wireless technology, 5G, provides faster and more reliable connectivity. The internet of things (IoT) IoT: Rolls-Royce uses IoT to optimize maintenance plans enables physical devices to connect and exchange data. and track engine performance, resulting in less downtime Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR/VR) creates immersive and more dependability. IoT sensors are being used by experiences for customers and employees. No-code Amazon in its warehouses to manage inventory and boost platforms enable developers to create software without productivity, allowing for quicker and more precise order writing code. fulfillment. There are many ways these technologies may be applied to AR: IKEA has created an AR software so that buyers can enhance business operations. Blockchain, for instance, may visualize furniture in their homes before making a purchase. be used to safely store and exchange data, while 5G can Walmart has trained sta ffmembers in areas like leadership provide distant employees quicker and more dependable and customer service using virtual reality, making the connectivity. Although AR and VR may be used to create training process more interesting and productive. immersive consumer experiences, IoT can be utilized to check inventories and monitor supply chains. No-code No-code platforms: Unilever uses no-code platforms to platforms may speed up and streamline the development of create and implement software applications for a range of software, while AI can streamline operations and improve corporate tasks, such as marketing and supply chain customer service. New options for virtual events and management. Siemens is embracing no-code platforms, product creation may be offered by the metaverse. which save time and money by eliminating the need for human data entry. April 2023 | 36 | www.insightssuccess.com April 2023 | 37 | www.insightssuccess.com

AI: In order to produce and advertise items that are more utilizing new technologies, such as artificial intelligence likely to be well-received by customers, H&M uses AI to and the metaverse, to improve consumer experiences, evaluate customer data and forecast fashion trends. Capital streamline operations, and increase profitability. One uses AI-powered chatbots to offer customer care around-the-clock, eliminating the need for human customer Emerging technologies are still young, therefore it's vital to service agents. keep in mind that there is still a lot to come. We may anticipate even more fascinating advancements in the years Metaverse: Nike has built virtual storefronts in the to come as businesses continue to investigate the metaverse so that clients can explore and buy things in a opportunities presented by these technologies. completely immersive digital setting. In order to provide guests a more interesting and engaged experience, BNP Businesses need to be aware of developing technologies in Paribas uses the metaverse to offer virtual conferences and order to stay ahead of the curve. They also need to be ready events. to adopt and integrate these technologies into their daily operations. By doing this, businesses may stay one step These examples show how developing technologies may be ahead of the competition and take advantage of the used for a variety of business tasks and several businesses numerous opportunities that these cutting-edge tools are already making use of them to enhance their operations provide. and gain an edge over rivals in their sectors. The Future of Emerging Technologies in Business There will be a lot more innovation because there are so many business opportunities for technology development. Artificial intelligence is expected to advance and spread, with possible uses in targeted marketing, preventative maintenance, and autonomous decision-making. Virtual and augmented reality will keep delivering more realistic and immersive learning, marketing, and consumer engagement experiences. Blockchain is expected to be increasingly frequently used outside of banking, and it has the potential to change industries including supply chain management, healthcare, and real estate. No-code platforms are becoming more and more popular as businesses look to automate and streamline their processes without requiring extensive coding expertise. Businesses who successfully adopt and use these new technologies will be in a strong position to succeed as they advance and advance. In fact, the technologies are so far advanced, that as an example, the paragraph above was written entirely by AI, and most of us wouldn’t be able to tell the difference. This shows how much room there is and how many possibilities there are for innovation that is to come. Conclusion In conclusion, new business models and chances for development and innovation are being created by rising technology. Forward-thinking businesses are already April 2023 | 38 | www.insightssuccess.com

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The 10 Most Inspiring CEOs Making a Difference in 2023