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Anticipate demand, use big data and innovate if you want a competitive edge

Business leaders at the Game Changers Disrupt for New Business Growth conference say start-ups and incumbents can learn from one another

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Michael Perry, director of strategic partnerships at drone-maker DJI, said listening to customers helps the company stay ahead of competitors. Photo: Dickson Lee

Hong Kong companies must anticipate consumer demand, use big data to learn more about their customers and promote internal innovation to help fend off competition, according to business leaders.

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Speaking at the Game Changers Disrupt for New Business Growth conference held by the South China Morning Post on Tuesday, Michael Perry, director of strategic partnerships from Chinese drone maker DJI, said the company actively developed new technology based on customer demands.

Perry said technology developed by DJI to ensure its drones avoid obstacles was a product of listening to users, and that by taking on the views of customers the company was able to stay ahead of its competitors.

“DJI has a competitive advantage because we own all the technology as much as possible, we are a full-stack company,” he said. “So if there is any anticipation or direction we see the market going, we can anticipate it and actually drive that change.”

Shenzhen-based DJI is the world’s largest maker of unmanned aerial vehicle for consumers and is valued at around US$10 billion.

Predictive ordering is going to become very useful to us
Thilo Fuchs, co-founder, BottlesXO

Companies can also listen to consumers and hunt for trends by analysing the data they collect from their customers, no matter what the volume of that information.

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