It's a Small World After All (wsg Erik Walenza)

Erik Walenza, CEO of IoT One and host of The Industrial IoT Spotlight podcast, joins host Gregg Garrett in this special dual podcast to discuss how global and multi-national firms are competing in the Chinese market. Of course, Erik speaks about his Top 3: his wife, his business partners: Chun Liew and Michael Maeder, who taught him how to build relationships and processes, and his community. And you have to hear what he has to say about local for local strategy. About Erik Walenza Erik Walenza has worked in China for 11 years and he is an active member of the Chinese innovation ecosystem. He is passionate about exploring the impact of digitalization in businesses, and through his position as Chair of the Technology and Innovation Committee in China he plays an active role in the exchange of best practices for innovation strategy and tech trends evolution in Asia, but also worldwide. Erik has interviewed over 100 CEOs and venture capitalists while building one of Shanghai’s largest entrepreneur networks. Show Highlights During this episode: Introduction [0:00] Importance of Connecting People [0:55] Introduction to Erik and the dual podcast [3:18] Gregg’s background and the creation of CGS [4:06] Erik’s background and current work [5:20] The similarities and differences of CGS and IoT One [10:30] The “Top Three” His wife [12:30] His work colleagues [15:25] His communities [17:52] You have to hear this… Local for local strategy [20:06] CGS’s IoT Collaboration [26:10] Getting the Right People around the Table [33:40] Operating Leaders [38:50] Put Believers with Believers [43:00] Participating in the I4.0 Orchestration Collaborative [49:00]   Additional Information Contact Erik Walenza: Erik’s email Erik’s LinkedIn IoT One website Contact Gregg Garrett: Gregg’s email Gregg’s LinkedIn Gregg’s Twitter Gregg’s Bio   Contact CGS Advisors: Website LinkedIn Twitter

Om Podcasten

You, Me, and Your Top Three is a podcast focused on exploring leadership in the connecting world. Specifically, the podcast invites leaders to tell stories, reflect, and discuss their views on: - disruptions in industry and society; - how they are leading transformations considering these disruptions - brave leadership to drive transformation. It is this last point where we focus most of the discussion, asking our guests to share their insights into the relationships they have with their “Top 3” closest advisors. It is our observation and experience that as the world connects, the importance of a diverse set of counselors is increasing in value. For some this may be a formal advisor who has been contracted on behalf of the company. For most this will be deep relationships in which they have been invested and nurtured. Through stories and discussion, we strive to celebrate the art of giving and receiving advice. The stories that are told are heartfelt and real. At the root we are exploring the process of knowledge building, relationship building, and perhaps most importantly, confidence building. After all, it takes a brave leader to battle the inertia that exists in industries, our organizations, and in ourselves. It is our hope that as successful leaders open up about around the subjects and the way in which they interact with their closest confidants, that our listeners will, in turn, reflect on their own “virtual board of advisors.” Over time they will then surround themselves with those who help them stretch toward greatness and lead bravely in the connecting world.