VODAFONE ZIGGO
As VodafoneZiggo works towards a network of the future , technology strategist and Dutch adventurer Wilco Dekker equates the ‘ digital expedition ’ to the focus he used to conquer Mount Everest .
As Dekker drives the digital journey of VodafoneZiggo , at a time when the Netherlands is ahead of the curve compared to any other European country in their consumption of data , he applies the same focus and vision he adopted to climb the world ’ highest mountain , to chart success for the communication provider .
“ An explosion of happiness ” is how Dekker describes the moment he stood on the roof of the world . But he soon realised the ascent of Everest was only half the story as the descent was still to come . “ The real achievement is when I got to base camp . Then I could celebrate . On the way up , I had a problem with my oxygen bottle in the Dead Zone , and it was a life or death decision , what to do . Preparation and instinct came into play .”
Dekker admits this achievement appeared like ‘ mission impossible ’ a few years before his climb in 2019 . He now uses the same motivation he needed for this feat of human endurance as an analogy for success within VodafoneZiggo and other businesses as they embark on the ‘ digital expedition ’ to industry 4.0 .
“ I take companies through the same seven steps I went through to climb Everest to prepare them for the future , which is essentially unexplored terrain . It ’ s an area where nobody has ever been , so how do we prepare for that ?” said Dekker speaking from the Technology office of VodafoneZiggo in Amsterdam .
“ If you want to get the job done , you have to prepare for it well in advance , fail fast , learn quickly , and then you will enjoy the ride .
© Wilco Dekker
2017 joint – venture Vodafone and Ziggo founded
€ 4bn revenue with € 800 + million reinvest in the network
7,500 number of employees at Vodafone Ziggo
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