Michael Escoe, Orange Business Services, The Americas

Opening the session on “Innovation in time of Uncertainty”, Nearly 50% of MNCs are headquartered in the Americas. But Michael Escoe pointed out the need to avoid thinking that the Americas constitutes the world (he compared participation in the FIFA World Cup with the North American World Series to underscore his point).

Economic recovery is still fragile in the Americas, but particularly strong in Latin America (=5.5% in Brazil and 4.4% in Mexico).

He provided an overview of Orange Business Services in the region.

He then introduced Bernard Hébert, Vice President Improvement, Technologies and Knowledge Management, Cirque du Soleil, by asking how audience members would like to move one of their offices every 6-8 weeks to parking lots or other inherently hard-to-connect locations. This is the challenge that Cirque du Soleil faces and for which it has sought help from Orange Business Services.

Bernard Hébert appeared on screen in 3D format via holographic video conferencing facilities.  Which one of the men in this video do you think is actually present in the room?

How does the 3D projection work? A clear screen suspended at a 45° angle in front of the main projection screen clearly that has something to do with it. I have to admit that it is pretty cool! Since Bernard Hébert is projected at life-size and he walks around the set where he is, you really have the impression that he just magically appeared onstage next to Michael Escoe.