The Coordination Age Companies: First Release

Which companies are bringing the Coordination Age to life, and how can the telecoms industry learn from or partner with them?

This is the first report in a series outlining companies that we think are lighting the path on the journey to the Coordination Age. Its goal is to deepen understanding of the Coordination Age and to inspire innovation and engagement in this crucial transition.

In this report, we selected ten companies that embody some of the different aspects of the concept of the Coordination Age. We believe that telcos can learn from these companies as they look to grow in this new age, evolve their strategies and explore new ways to innovate. These companies are represented in two categories:

  • Natives: companies that have been formed within the Coordination Age
  • Transformers: established companies learning to adapt and reinvent themselves

Introduction to the Coordination Age

What is a Coordination Age company?

A Coordination Age company delivers better use of resources to their customers by combining:

  • Connectivity (IoT, 4G, 5G, Wi-Fi, etc.)
  • Cloud/edge computing
  • AI and machine learning
  • Automation

It operates in a B2B2X environment, bringing together previously siloed data, processes, companies, and customers.

A Coordination Age company usually operates across physical and digital worlds, but in some cases the resources can be predominantly digital too (e.g. in financial services or entertainment).

Coordination Age natives vs transformers

Natives

  • Some companies have emerged within the Coordination Age era, hence are Coordination Age native
  • Coordination Age natives are unique in that they are more adept with B2B2X environments; their business models are built around this to begin with, and they do not need to change any legacy business models
    • E.g. they have up-to-date IT systems and do not need to build new ones; the whole company is embracing CA acorss all the departments; there is no need to create a cultural mindset or shift it as the company already thinking that way
  • However, despite this, Coordination Age natives will also have to change at some point too
  • To be a Coordination Age native it must be good at adapting to change. It cannot have a rigid business model that puts it at risk of finding itself in the position of today’s transformers

Transformers

  • Other companies have transformed since the Coordination Age era and are being transformed over time
  • Crucially, due to this transformation process, some of the Coordination Age companies have only achieved this status in some areas of their business
    • If a company is not a Coordination Age native, it must figure out what the process is to become a transformer
  • The process of becoming a Coordination Age transformer, and what this entails, is why these companies are interesting and must be learnt from
  • Besides Rakuten and Dish, all telcos are transformers

This report will cover both Coordination Age natives and transformers – the companies profiled were selected on how well they exemplify what a Coordination Age native and transformer looks like.

Download the full report