Industry leaders predict a transformative year ahead

Pause Awards ’23 brings together top industry experts predicting a transformative year ahead. Judges from Mastercard, Google, AWS and more foresee AI transformation, sustainable business practices, and human-first work culture.

With the 2023 awards program set to launch on 17 May, the judges have shared their predictions for the year ahead. Their insights highlight a focus on AI transformation, sustainable business practices, a human-first approach to work and the growth and innovation of Australia’s startup and innovation industry.

“Full scale creative chaos” says Veljko Golubovic from New Moment, “a year of turmoil where the resilient and resourceful thrive!,” says Trevor Townsend from Startupbootcamp Australia, Robyn Wilson from Superora is predicting that “we’re going to see an explosion in the ChatGPT Plug-in ecosystem, with service providers rapidly integrating with AI to enable faster, more dimensional service experiences.” India Gad from Shipeezi foresees “a stronger emphasis on sustainable business practices and the development of transparent ESG efforts.”

“We’re going to see an explosion in the ChatGPT Plug-in ecosystem, with service providers rapidly integrating with AI to enable faster, more dimensional service experiences.”

Robyn Wilson, Founder & Head of Strategy, Superora

In terms of work culture, Viona Young from VY Consulting predicts, “the realisation that work and life are not two separate things, will continue and we will move further towards a human-first approach to ways of working.”, Stuart B Richardson from Adventure Capital predicts “there will be step-changes in work and workplace catalysed by AI and commercial real estate.”

Jodette Cleary from hipages adds “holistic Wellbeing will become the most important employee benefit that companies provide, ensuring teams are physically and mentally energised to do their best work everyday and we look after the whole person (not just the work person).”

“Disruption, disruption, disruption.”

Jessica Williams, Strategy & Insights, Google

“Disruption, disruption, disruption” says Jessica Williams from Google, Michael Zyla from Mastercard predicts “a year for optimising core customer value propositions and securing spend in volatile economic times.” and Sam Ayre from Medibank predicts “value rises to the top as cost crunch continues.”

As for industry-specific predictions, Evan Davey from Dept shares, “mixed Reality finally gets its opportunity to go mainstream”, Penelope Shell from OMD says “in a swing back from the hyper local pandemic focus, FY24 will be the year more Australian founded brands expand their footprint globally than ever before.”

“In a swing back from the hyper local pandemic focus, FY24 will be the year more Australian founded brands expand their footprint globally than ever before.”

Penelope Shell, Chief Product Officer, OMD

Overall, the judges foresee a year of resilience, creativity and transformation. “product and tech leaders learn to build successful and profitable businesses again.” says Doug Rathbone from Airtasker, and Nathan Connors from Granicus believes “Australia to win the Rugby World Cup.”

“We are incredibly excited to have such a diverse and experienced panel of judges for this year’s Pause Awards,” says George Hedon for Pause Awards. “Their insights and predictions highlight the dynamic and transformative nature of our industry, and we can’t wait to see how these trends will be reflected in the entries we receive.”

We look forward to the continued growth and success of Pause Awards this year and for everyone interested can click here to enter.