Keynote presentation by Vance Kearney at the first Hertfordshire Business School Alumni conference that held on 23 November 2011. Vance graduated with a BA in Business in 1979 from the University of Hertfordshire. He is now Vice President for HR covering the EMEA region for Oracle Corporation.

1. GLOBAL BUSINESS CHALLENGES AND TALENT
Vance Kearney
BA Business (1979)
1 University of Hertfordshire

2. GLOBAL BUSINESS AND MARKETS
Markets, Customers and Talent are really global
GLOBAL CHANGES
Technology is transforming societies – (and killing some
businesses)
Mobility and Accessibility is multiplying (The iShack)
Competition and innovation are everywhere.

4. HEADLINES
“China's rise in tech brings global tension”
Countries reliant on China for growth may suffer losing talent, economic opportunities
and innovative edge, analysts say.
“The HP Way and how it completely screwed HP”
“Intel in more trouble than anyone knows”
„Bank Chiefs scramble to stay at the top table‟
“Multinationals dine out on tax avoidance”
“Fitch cuts Sony, Panasonic ratings to junk”
“What going over the fiscal cliff means for emerging
markets”
“Why bank Regulation is like the EU Crisis”

5. BUSINESS LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES
Decision Making. Getting the critical ones right.
CEO AGENDA
Technology, web, social, big data, primarily about customers
and products but also about talent.
Relentless drive for efficiency and profit to fund innovation.
Sustainability of organisations and talent.

6. IMPLICATIONS FOR ALL OF US
(AND OUR CHILDREN)

7. FOR SUCCESS THERE ARE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Evidence of Intellect and Drive
ENTRY REQ’MTS
Evidence of Curiosity and Passion
Evidence of Determination and Exceptional Effort
Evidence of Achievement

8. SPECIFIC SKILLS REQUIRED FOR GLOBAL SUCCESS
Emotional & Social Skills. It now really is a team game. Star
players can only emerge through teams.
GLOBAL SKILLS
Technological Skills. The world works on technology.
Technological ignorance is now career suicide.
Global Mobility is a huge attribute and European or Asian
Languages are now expected.
Leadership skills and credibility. Nowhere is the talent demand
greater than in leadership where catastrophic failure awaits.

9. AWESOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE
Opportunities for people with talent in every sphere, self
employment, startup, and employed.
OPPORTUNITES
Entry points for own business and networking have never been
more numerous and accessible.
Job markets and opportunities are globally available.
Learning opportunities abound and are continuous.

10. THE UNIVERSITY CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE
Education for a complex world, both now, and the future.
Mandatory education in social skills and technology
Personal attributes must be developed and encouraged.
Authenticity, Self Awareness, Curiosity, Passion, Care, Optimism, and Hard work.