Search archive:
BT Retail uses corporate venturing as one important element of strategy delivery. Ian Bull who has run BT Retail Enterprises since February 2004 explains how.
How does Corporate Venturing help BT Retail execute its strategy?
Growing the top line through new services in Broadband, Mobile and Digital Networked Economy is a core part of BT’s strategy.
To do this we need to innovate. And we need to move quickly and take risks. Venturing is one way we can do this.
What do you look for in a venturing opportunity?
We look for opportunities that are linked closely to our core business and strategy, but need a degree of freedom to flourish.
Our ventures are market, product or service based ideas that get close to our customers and meet their real needs.
They need to be able to grow quickly and must have the potential to make a material contribution to a business the size of BT.
What does BT Retail Enterprises offer to these ventures?
By being completely aligned with BT’s core strategy, we are able to provide rapid customer feedback, sales channels and technology input. We also provide dedicated resources, a shared group of kindred spirits and the ability to leverage BT’s back office infrastructure.
Can you give me a couple of examples?
BT Auto-ID Services is a great example. It is a market leader in the delivery of complete, scalable and affordable RFID solutions. For example in the retail sector it is working with Marks and Spencer to implement RFID services within the retailer’s food supply chain.
The BT Auto-ID Platform helps customers across their supply chain to manage inventory control, increase sales, provide electronic proof of delivery, and comply with mandatory track, trace and authenticate requirements.”
We also have a number of stand-alone and more mature businesses which are core to our strategy and each with good growth potential. They benefit from the entrepreneurial approach.
Redcare is a good example here. It’s provides remote monitoring and information services to the security and safety sectors as well as CCTV, vehicle tracking and Auto ID, our successful market maker in RFID technology. And we now have a new range of Broadband and ICT products and services to offer to the market.
BT Venture Portfolio
Zoom chart
Copyright © 1999-2010 Credo Group Ltd.