World Trade Week speaker: Embrace technology

The CEO of Aon Risk Solutions in Chicago, a global risk management business, said technology will continue to have a profound impact on companies managing global teams.

Michael O'Connor was the keynote speaker at the West Michigan World Trade Week Business Conference held May 10 at the L. William Seidman Center. The conference was sponsored by Grand Valley State University's Van Andel Global Trade Center and the U.S. Commercial Service. 

O'Connor, who holds a juris doctor from the University of Chicago and an MBA and bachelor's degree in business from the University of Notre Dame, told business leaders to embrace technology.

"The world is more interconnected than ever before," said O'Connor. "Technology can help bring teams together and make them more effective."

O'Connor said negative global trends in economics, demographics and geopolitics will be compounded by technology. He said cyber risk is the No. 1 concern for businesses in North America. "It typically takes 186 days — half a year —before you even find out your information has been compromised," he said.

O'Connor said one of the most successful ways to build high-performing teams is to establish apprentice programs. "Those who are currently in our apprentice programs are highly motivated and extremely successful at their jobs," he said.

West Michigan World Trade Week is in its 32nd year bringing together a multitude of Michigan business leaders to discuss local strategies for export success, focusing on ways to increase exports and bring more business opportunities to West Michigan.

Several breakout sessions were held during the business conference focusing on international data laws, hiring distributors, cybertheft and infringement protection and doing business in Mexico, China and Taiwan.

For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/wtw or call (616) 331-6811.