Blockchain – brilliant technology

Brilliant technology behind the hype on crypto currencies

Blockchain – more than just Bitcoin

Topics around blockchain, crypto currencies and bitcoin are not only discussed among “tech insiders” in Switzerland or Singapore, but also all over the world. There are countless reports, valuations, forecasts. Why is it such a hype? Why will this technology keep us fascinated for a very long time?

The promising technology behind Bitcoin is the distributed ledger technology, which is usually referred to as “blockchain”. It enables a profound change in many industries and offers numerous fields of applications. Our experiences show us that the blockchain will be applied in more and more companies and industries in the future because of its various possibilities.

What is behind the blockchain?

The heart of the blockchain is a decentralized and secure data storage as encrypted data were distributed across a network of nodes. The data were stored tamper-proof and transparent but cannot be subsequently changed. Compared to the classic models of online data storage, there is no need for a central third-party data storage. Consequently, only the producer of the data has the control.

With this fundamental evolution of data storage in place, many companies explore new opportunities to store digital content such as photos, music, texts or information about valuables like art or diamonds. For example, Everledger offers blockchain-based solutions to track art, wines, and other valuables transparently throughout their lifetime and to identify their origins. This ensures trust and transparency along the supply chain.

It is not surprising that blockchain technology has particularly become well-known in the financial industry as Bitcoin, Ether and hundreds of other cryptocurrencies are products of this technology. Compared to the traditional money transfer of banks, which can take few days, the blockchain enables cost-effective, secure payment transactions across borders in real time. Ripple is just one example for many other implemented projects in the financial industry.

What is a smart contract?

Another fascinating thing are smart contracts. Smart contracts mean nothing else than the automated execution of a predetermined operation with the fulfillment of previously predetermined conditions. The decentralized recording of the date on the blockchain supports the execution of these contracts, which in some cases significantly speeds up processes and reduces costs.

What comes next?

There are so many different and promising applications for the blockchain – the ones described here are just the beginning of a new and exciting era. We are eager for the exciting changes and technological advancements and are looking forward to shaping them together with you.

Catch the Future…!

Scouting for Success

Achieving innovation and technology advantages in the digital age

As companies gain innovation and technology leadership in the digital age, innovation and technology scouting is playing an increasingly important role. But how can the identification of innovation and technology opportunities be a success?

EARLY BRANDS Insights: What is innovation and technology scouting?

Alexander: It is the targeted tracing of valuable innovation and technology opportunities. The time dimension and the quality play a special role here. Think of consumer goods manufacturers with strong brands, retailers or retail banks. They all have the ambition to discover valuable business opportunities and partners before the competition.

Our clients want to be “first mover” even in the digital age, which is a tough challenge considering their size. To deliver power to the slope, they need pinpoint access to relevant innovation impulses, tailored technologies and opportunities for cooperation along their value-added streams. Worldwide. With start-ups and tech companies as win-win partners. The whole thing in a way that it can lead to success within a year or two. And all without the need to build a new factory on a green field.

Therefore, quality in scouting means: Even with all the dynamic and complexity of the digital world, seeing the wood for the trees. And find valuable fruits in this forest, harvest with partners, with which more than one new variety of fruit salad is possible.

EARLY BRANDS Insights: How is the growing interest of top decision-makers in scouting shown?

Alexander: Managers and decision makers in research and development, production and marketing have recognized the strategic importance of scouting for their business success. Anyone watching “Shark Tank” or “Die Höhle der Löwen” in German TV, and seeing how agile start-up companies generate millions of euros in sales within months, would like that too. Only bigger, because your own company base is multiple times larger. Therefore, they address these exciting topics by their own, aiming to position their companies with innovations.

EARLY BRANDS Insights: How did innovation and technology scouting come about as an EARLY BRANDS expertise?

Alexander: The discovery of valuable technological and innovation opportunities has always been part of our DNA. Already in 2007, we had the opportunity to identify tailored innovation opportunities and technology partners worldwide for technology participation projects and open innovation initiatives. Leading companies such as Coca-Cola Corporation or GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare gave us their briefing. And then we started the first expedition around scouting. With first own scouting teams, who identify in the USA, Canada and Europe, what is out there, also capturing product samples and consumer voices in the local markets. Supplemented by media research, our first own technology and innovation databases and doctor Google. As well as solid brand and consumer insights thinking that as a leader in my corporate career at KRAFT Foods Europe and KraftJacobsSuchard I was able to appreciate. Technology edge plus partners plus consumer centricity matters.

However, in days of the Google “filter bubble” and coded patents, much more is needed today.

One example: Try Google for ten days looking for a purple cow. If you are just looking for the word cow on the eleventh day, chances are good that Google will offer you a purple cow and even a Milka chocolate. That’s why we built up our own scouting technologies at EARLY BRANDS a few years ago and continue to develop this with many great partners.

My understanding of the art of scouting is to filter 50-100 out of 50,000 potentially relevant impulses every month and identify business opportunities. It’s all about tailored results that together with the innovation and research goals, the brands and the know-how in the company make something valuable possible.

EARLY BRANDS Insights: What significance do trend forecasts and patent databases have for technological detection and innovation success?

Alexander: Of course, there are a lot of trend gurus, research oracles and very well-made trend analyzes that provide inspiration. Or IT companies that want to predict innovation and technology developments through patent databases. My experience is: trends and market-driven growth drivers are a very welcome tailwind. We catch it and gladly take it on the expedition for growth and economic success through innovation. But at the same time, new boats, sails or even spaceships can rarely be built from it…

EARLY BRANDS Insights: How does scouting become a success for companies?

Alexander: The high benefit and value is created regularly when as many different scouting aspects as possible are included – from start-ups to competitors to suppliers and experts. Secondly, it is also about thinking and acting across market and category boundaries. It’s not about looking for a new refill ink for the pen, but thinking in broader innovation and technology categories. Why not speaking instead of writing? This is how Siri came into existence. Thirdly, strategic suppliers and tech partners like to be actively involved in scouting. It is about working hand in hand in partnership and recognizing potential.

To capitalize on these benefits, we at EARLY BRANDS play the entire gamut from scouting strategy and conception, operational scouting with our networks and digital tools, to innovation and technology portfolio management. As well as the tech relationship building with start-ups and tech companies.

EARLY BRANDS Insights: How to use innovation and technology opportunities in the company profitably?

Alexander: It’s about linking the impulses with the company’s ideas to new business opportunities with know-how and strong partners. And to bring these implementation concepts as initiatives into the exploration and implementation in an agile way. Also, ideas of customers and consumers can be included at an early stage.

Our task is to facilitate the exploitation of valuable innovation and technology opportunities. And also to support their rapid economic utilization at all levels. Team playing with the top decision-makers and employees in the companies.

EARLY BRANDS Insights: Can you make this concrete with the help of successful examples?

Alexander: Definitely. For many very cool brand companies, tech companies and b2b industrial companies, we have been making lasting economic contributions of up to 10-15 million euros per year, and sometimes even more. However, this is the result of the performance of the people in these companies. We act as enablers and supporters, doing the innovation designs, making values ​​transparent or coordinating.

The value of scouting arises in particular from the development of new profitable sources of revenue. It’s about on-top sales and boosting profit margins. Not as individual projects, but in the overall view as agile innovation and growth portfolios, the optimal opportunity and value profile of such a portfolio is created. As with professional asset management, it is the same with the detection and utilization of innovation and technology opportunities: If several valuable balls are up in the air at the same time, more valuable results will reach their destination. Further positive effects for the companies are quality improvements or sustainability advantages often associated with efficiency or productivity improvements.

EARLY BRANDS Insights: What is the receipt for success?

Alexander: Innovation & Technology Scouting is an important and essential starting point for successfully exploiting innovation opportunities for business development. At the same time, in the end it is always the people – in our team and in our partners teams – who make the difference. With passion and know-how. Thinking and acting in terms of market and customer needs remains crucial to success.

It is all about understanding the people with whom we shape the future together and enabling them to be successful with their companies. Learning every day and growing together.

Catch the Future…!