Utility companies are experiencing a rapid transformation. They are witnessing their industry shifting from a regulation-driven, reliable environment to a technology-driven, uncertain and altogether more sophisticated marketplace where real-time data on energy supply and demand and energy prices are increasingly crucial.
The aging of the population will give fresh impetus to the drive for autonomous vehicles – especially in the countryside. A system of driverless buses on fixed routes in combination with other self-driving vehicles providing flexible "last-mile" services can help people, especially the elderly, remain active members of their community.
Growing numbers of people are expressing a greater interest in getting around by robocab than in purchasing a car of their own. As many as 40 percent of US city dwellers fall into this camp, as do 26 percent of young Chinese citizens. The share of people using carsharing, ridesharing or taxis to get about is also rising, having doubled in Germany in the space of just one year.
The private equity industry anticipates more M&A transactions on the part of PE firms in 2018 than last year, confident that the favorable economic outlook will offset economic uncertainties such as the ongoing Brexit negotiations.
Finance functions have been transforming themselves in recent years with the aim of evolving from a "data producer" to a "strategic business partner" for their internal clients.
Half of all companies consider their own supply chain strategy to be outdated and unsuited to the demands of future business. Many firms therefore have no choice but to tackle process renewal, given that an inefficient supply chain organization can send costs rocketing and gnaw away at earnings.
Roland Berger, a leading global consulting firm announces the appointment of Ravindra Parankushan (Ravi Kushan) as their new Managing Partner in India. He assumed responsibilities on January 01 2018 and is based out of the firm's Mumbai office. He succeeds Wilfried Aulbur, who has moved to the US as Senior Partner in the Automotive Practice.