It’s easy to get lost in the details in today’s fast-evolving, complex world – sometimes, it feels like you can’t see the forest for the trees.
Heading into the ASX SMIDcaps conference last week, my goal wasn’t to focus on any single company but to see what level of clarity could emerge from the collective insights of 20 CEOs. Each had just 15 minutes to present their companies, products, services, and growth stories.
At first, the agenda felt a bit like an eye test: an overwhelming blur of information crammed into a tiny font, offering anything but a 360-degree view! But as the sessions progressed, clarity emerged – not from the individual presentations, but from the contradictions between them. I use “contradictions” for lack of a better word; in reality, what stood out were the contrasts, the extremes – the insights that arise when you put opposites side by side and build bridges between them.
It reminded me of Nassim Taleb’s “Barbell” approach to investing, where only high- and low-risk assets are considered, with nothing in between. Similarly, in strategic thinking, insight often comes from juxtaposing opposites and finding new ways to reconcile them within a “portfolio of ideas”.
Here are a few key “contradictions” I noted:
Bridging AI & Humans
With the tech sector making a strong comeback thanks to two words – Artificial Intelligence, it’s no surprise that CEOs highlighted AI as a key driver for new business models; whether it’s Straker.ai’s latest innovations in AI verification or AirTasker’s AI-enabled community model, AI is reshaping industries. Yet, almost every speaker also emphasised that “nothing good happens without a good team” and that “good people bring good people.” What’s more? Many CEOs stressed the recent changes made in their boardrooms and management teams to drive success.
/ Questions
- At a time when business operating models are being reinvented to reflect rapidly emerging technologies, what would it take for companies to be able to say “We have a workforce of 100, including 40 Agents” in their annual report?
- When will organisations start to factor in formal as well as on-the-job training requirements for both humans and non-humans (AI agents) alike?
- Will there be opportunities for trained AI Agents in the Boardroom down the line?
Bridging B2B & B2C
The conference featured cutting-edge products, from CleanSpace’s masks for contaminated environments to Acusensus’ “intelligent eyes” for detecting key risk behaviours in road accidents and enforcing the laws. But many of these innovations remain largely unknown by the general public (except maybe through the experience of receiving a fine as a result of dangerous driving behaviour spotted by Acusensus…).
/ Questions
- Of course it may be difficult to make B2B products that are complex in nature ‘more accessible’ to everyday consumers, but, in the case of Acusensus’ “intelligent eyes,” would increased public awareness lead to behavior change and safer driving habits if people know the technology exists in the first place? (Similar to informing drivers on motorways that there are radars).
Bridging Mining & Farming, Nature
One gold mining CEO described himself as an interim farmer for the time being – he was indeed raising cattle and planting blackberry trees on the land where his mine would be built. Beyond the playful comment, which made the packed ASX auditorium laugh, his perspective hinted at a more nuanced relationship between mining and environmental stewardship, which would potentially be beneficial in places like the Hunter Valley for those based in Australia.
/ Questions
- There are good things happening where mining and farming can work side by side but they are not being shared, so what channels should we be sharing them on?
- There are great examples of mining working alongside traditional owners and national parks, etc. What models have you seen working to reconcile mining and nature and how can those be more widespread to drive contagious inspiration?
Next Steps – Where to from here?
At its core, this simple “Barbell” framework is about listening to leaders, and generating insights by bridging gaps between opposite views. It’s a way to challenge assumptions, unlock new possibilities, and guide future growth.
Food for thought… I’d love to hear your perspectives not only on the 6 questions that were raised in this article but more broadly on how we could leverage collective intelligence to solve today’s biggest challenges.
To start with, feel free to reach out at olivier.vojetta@yakkazoo.com. At Yakkazoo, we are keen to share ideas, contribute to, and work with interested parties to collectively help create impact – and greater clarity – for all.
A huge thank you to the ASX team for another fantastic event. I’m already looking forward to building more bridges at the next one!
Olivier Vojetta
Client Solutions Director