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Featured Futurist: Change the Abstract, Sopra Steria
As the rate of disruption accelerates many companies around the world are struggling with how to master it, and now help's on hand.
Key takeaways
- New technologies are driving significant transformation in all industries.
- From aerospace and defence, to banking, automotive and retail, change is accelerating everywhere and it is not industry specific.
- Borders between individual industries are starting to dissolve.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2020) 'Featured Futurist: Change the Abstract, Sopra Steria', 311 Institute, 21 May. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/featured-futurist-change-the-abstract-sopra-steria/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Firstly, a big thank you to Ian, Sopra Steria’s UKI Managing Director for working with me and asking me to contribute to the company’s Change the Abstract, a thought paper that shines a light on how in today’s increasingly fast paced and disruptive world technology’s contribution is becoming more important than ever in helping companies adapt and prosper.
New technologies are driving significant transformation in all industries. From aerospace and defence, to banking, automotive and retail, change is accelerating everywhere and it is not industry specific. Borders between individual industries are starting to dissolve. Whether it is about staying competitive by expanding into new industries or companies simply using their capabilities in new ways, industries are having to adapt quickly to new and disruptive influences.
The key is how you make this disruption work for you and your business. How can you be sure that you stay ahead of the curve? Whilst disruption is often seen as a threat, with the right mindset it should be an opportunity to be seized. You just need to understand how that change can have a positive effect on your business and how you might use it to drive the future. Some forward thinking companies have already started to transform and drive the future of their industries, but in many cases the desired results are not being realised.
Others know they have to change, but aren’t sure how, or in which direction, and that’s what we explore in this paper.
What this means for your organisation
Rivals can come from anywhere.
Borders between industries are starting to dissolve. Firms expand into new markets or use existing capabilities in new ways. Competitor maps that only track your own sector are now out of date.
Disruption can be an opportunity.
The paper argues the right mindset turns disruption into something to seize. That needs a clear view of how change helps your business. Boards should frame each threat as a possible new line of growth.
Direction matters more than effort.
Many firms have started to transform but are not getting the results they want. Others know they must change but not which way. Agree the destination before funding the programme.
Three questions for your next leadership meeting
- Which companies outside our sector could take our customers next?
- Where could our existing capabilities win in a different industry?
- Do our transformation programmes share one clear direction?
The trends and technologies behind this story
From the 311 Starburst, the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit’s map of the technologies and trends shaping the next 50 years.
Analysis by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit, from Matthew Griffin’s article and 311 data. First published on Fanatical Futurist.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
As the rate of disruption accelerates many companies around the world are struggling with how to master it, and now help's on hand.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, President and Futurist, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
Read full bio
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 17-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder, President and Futurist of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity programme, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 21 May 2020. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2020). Featured Futurist: Change the Abstract, Sopra Steria. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/featured-futurist-change-the-abstract-sopra-steria/
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