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Flexibility and instant access to information are key for today’s modern companies. As workplaces and organizations become more collaborative, companies need to be transparent and responsive to employees and customers alike.

Anh Phillips, a researcher and author with Deloitte Services opened the session titled “The Agile Company” with observations about how business leaders can address digital technology’s rapid changes. Phillips is a leading expert on how companies are thinking differently about adapting to digital changes, which she referred to as “digital maturity.”

Deloitte’s Anh Phillips said companies are thinking differently about adapting to digital changes, which she referred to as “digital maturity.”
National Vision CEO Reade Fahs spoke about social responsibility and the need for companies to become more collaborative, transparent and responsive.
She said, “Any company designed for success in the 20th century is doomed to failure in the 21st century.”

In addition to having a clear strategy she said, “People are the answer to solving this problem. Almost 72 percent of companies don’t think they have the talent they need. But the key is to provide workers with the right opportunities to grow and develop their digital maturity.” The lack of digital opportunities may increase attrition and those employees tend to leave a company within a year, research shows. Even companies with strong digital leaders will remain ineffective if the culture is not allowing employees to succeed. “Culture is big,” she said.

Successful companies with the right digital cultures share similar traits, such as less hierarchy, more collaboration, learning and experience, agile workers and risk-takers, Phillips pointed out.

National Vision CEO Reade Fahs then took the stage to speak about social responsibility and the need for companies to become more collaborative, transparent and responsive to employees and customers. Fahs guided the Summit audience through the history of RestoringVision.org which has provided readers to some 10 million people since its inception in 2003. Founded by Mark Sachs, when RestoringVision.org was started, nearly 40 percent to 50 percent of all people needed readers.

Throughout his presentation, Fahs talked passionately about the power of helping people see, one pair of eyeglasses at a time. He pointed out that “giving back is not just a Millennial thing” and he called on the optical community in the room to work together on improving vision for those in need.

Vic and Rachel Puri, the founders of WellnessWorks, talked about how their New York-based start-up is bringing the idea of co-working to health and wellness practitioners.
“People in optical have unique qualifications and tend to stay in the industry for a long time. In a sense, we are public health workers and we are in the midst of a public health issue.” Fahs urged the audience to come together in an effort to eliminate the lack of eyeglasses in the world, calling it our “moon shot.”

Next, Vic Puri and Rachel Puri, the founders of WellnessWorks, told the Summit audience about how their New York-based start-up is bringing the idea of co-working to health and wellness practitioners. The firm offers co-working spaces for both part-time and full-time health professionals. Vic Puri said currently “doctors are not being served. Starting a private practice is not easy and less than 50 percent of health care professionals are independent.

“Our clients are the agile ones because they get to focus on their patients and worry less about office operations,” he said. The firm offers end-to-end support including high-end waiting rooms, front-desk reception, online booking and cleaning services. Vic Puri pointed out that doctors can save time and money and end up working smarter by concentrating on their patients instead of office tasks and responsibilities.

Vic’s background as a contractor and home builder and Rachel’s experience in the mental health field as an RN, proved to be a winning combination in their co-working space enterprise. “Basically, you take care of your patients and we take care of the rest,” Vic Puri said.