www.acquisition-international.com • Issue 3 2024 Lombard International Group: Wealth Planning Solutions That Matter Defining the Future of Corporate Digitisation Recently anointed as the Best AI-Driven Corporate Advisory Platform 2024 – Global, WebAccountPlus is a company who holds an undeterred desire to pioneer the future of corporate digitisation. Leveraging the immense capabilities of AI and various other innovative technologies, the collective has devised an all-encompassing platform that provides every solution a business could need to streamline their processes and accurately manage all aspects of their inner workings. Throughout this article, we uncover the detailed suite of services WebAccountPlus has developed, and how said services have prepped the landscape for a thorough transformation.
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Contents 4 News 6 Defining the Future of Corporate Digitisation 10. Wealth Planning Solutions That Matter 13. Trend-setting Enterprise AI For Faster and Bolder Finance Operations 14. Four Decades of Sophisticated Medical Malpractice Magnificence 16. Creating Immersive Phygital Experiences 14 11
NEWS CRIF launches unique ESG Analytics to help UK financial institutions meet their sustainability goals • New solution enables banks, insurers and corporates to better understand how compliant the companies, customers or suppliers they work with are to ESG principles • The service enables business to take effective and immediate action on a range of ESG issues – for example to ensure they are promoting sustainability by measuring their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and assessing transition, physical and environmental risks ahead of prospective new regulation • The ESG score draws on CRIF’s 30 years of experience in analytics, utilising more than 130 proprietary key indicators derived from public and private data sources • The solution complements CRIF’s existing Synesgy service, which enables businesses to assess the ESG credentials of their entire supply chain via self-reported questionnaires UK banks will be able to assess the environmental, social and governance (ESG) profile of their UK and EU based suppliers, partners and customer portfolio quickly and effectively, thanks to a pioneering new data repository and scoring service. ESG Analytics from CRIF, Europe’s leading provider of consumer and business credit information, and a key global player in integrated decisioning solutions, draws on over 130 key indicators derived from UK and EU information sources, analysing information on important areas such as a business’s water usage, waste production, emissions, health and safety records, modern slavery and inclusiveness. Thanks to CRIF’s unique repository of ESG data as well as over 30 years of experience in advanced analytics, businesses can get a quick and accurate picture of the ESG credentials of all UK and European businesses they work with or are considering working with. To access these credentials, financial institutions only require the VAT or registration number of a UK or European business to get an ESG score along with the granular environmental, social and governance indicators without the need to engage the individual company itself. The benefits the solution brings to UK banks include: • Helping them to identify the most sustainable and ethically conscious businesses they work with and to prioritise those relationships, and issue green finance • Identifying potential partners to work with in the future • Supporting their own ESG objectives and efforts to further their own sustainability journey, for example to be aware of natural resource consumption and their impact on biodiversity • Protecting their reputation by minimising potential risk in the organisations they work with and put remedies in place to deal with any ESG exposures of their customers and suppliers • Meeting reporting and compliance requirements for stakeholders, investors and regulatory bodies At present, the UK has no single ESG law or regulation, with policy consisting of domestic and EU-derived laws and regulations, but as part of the Edinburgh reforms in December 2022, the government announced that it would explore a potential regulatory regime for financial providers. Sara Costantini, CRIF’s Regional Director for the UK & Ireland, said: “There’s no doubt that protecting the environment for future generations is the number one most pressing challenge for individuals, businesses and governments today. “Financial institutions will play a crucial role in the transition to a green economy. For banks in particular, efforts to reduce their impact on the environment and promote good governance and social responsibility are going to be more and more important in the near future. “Considering the growing attention of the regulatory bodies towards ESG compliance in the EU but also in the UK, ESG Analytics enables banks, insurers and corporates to understand the impact of businesses they work with today and helps to inform their decision-making in this ever-more important area of work. And by working with regulatory bodies all around the world, we ensure that we remain at the forefront of regulation so we can pass this knowledge onto UK financial institutions.” There is a growing focus on the need by companies to understand, disclose and reduce their Scope 3 emissions. A recent study* assessed the emissions associated with the global investments held by 15 British banks and 10 asset managers and found that their investments emit 805 million tonnes of carbon per year. If these emissions were from a country, that country would rank 9th in the world for carbon emissions. This is not just important to meet regulatory requirements but also to meet customer demands. Research from CRIF** found that UK consumers are increasingly likely to prefer companies that prioritise ESG considerations, with half (49%) of people saying they would prefer to use a bank or lender that is focused on protecting the environment, while twothirds (66%) say they want their bank to be transparent with them about how it is run. CRIF’s new ESG Analytics solution complements its existing ESG service – Synesgy – which allows businesses to easily understand the ESG implications of their entire supply chain, enabling them to collect and view ESG reports, and view the sustainability ratings of the other businesses that they work with. While Synesgy is based on reporting data from questionnaires for both companies and their suppliers, which will take a more detailed, long-term approach to analysing the ESG impact of businesses, CRIF’s ESG Analytics enables businesses to take action now to become ESG-compliant, meet their sustainability goals and protect the environment for future generations. The launch of ESG Analytics and Synesgy in the UK expands the availability of these solutions around the world, where over 600,000 companies, including 350 banks and insurers, already utilise the service in more than 80 countries, as it helps to set an international standard in corporate sustainability.
NEWS services were generally quite far down the list of ethical priorities for most businesses (22nd and 34th respectively). The exception was in the manufacturing sector where contribution to climate change was ranked in the top three risks, reflecting the particular challenge of businesses with carbon intensive operations, especially in subsectors such as automotive and aerospace. IBE’s Ethical Risks 2024 survey enables organisations to compare their ethical risk analysis to others and provides a broader understanding of the ethical risks faced by business leaders. In this survey, “ethical risk” refers to risks that could affect the ability of the organisation to live up to its ethical values and standards, undermining trust and reputation and threatening financial and operating performance. Fraud fears rise due to tightening economic conditions Business leaders are worried that worsening economic conditions are driving up financial crime and putting vulnerable customers at risk, according to a new survey from the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE). The Ethical Risks 2024 survey shows that economic conditions – such as the cost of living crisis, high energy prices, and high rate of inflation – are the highest-ranked ethical risk factor for businesses, according to the survey of 1,051 UK business leaders.* The financial squeeze can also be seen to drive many of the other risks weighing on bosses’ minds. Fraud was the third highest-ranked risk this year, just after data protection and privacy. Theft/improper spending of company money (including expenses) and false accounting and reporting also appeared in the top 10 (7th and 10th), well above many other ethical issues, such as the environment. Ian Peters, Director of Institute of Business Ethics, commented: “While fraud is an ongoing challenge for many organisations, tough economic conditions put greater pressures on organisations and individuals – giving rise to unethical behaviours like financial crime.” Beyond the bottom line, business leaders are worried about the economic impact on customers. Treatment of vulnerable customers and fair treatment of customers (including pricing and complaints) were the 5th and 6th highest-ranked risk factors overall. Notably, neither factor was in the top 10 risks for larger businesses, but both the retail sector and small and medium-sized businesses ranked concern for vulnerable customers and fair treatment of customers highly. Ian Peters said: “Larger organisations may be making a mistake by placing the fair treatment of customers at a lower priority than other issues. Customers are unlikely to believe businesses’ claims to be ethical if they have a poor experience with them. “While industries like financial services are under increasing pressure from regulators to demonstrate their focus on the needs of customers, especially the most vulnerable, concern for customers should really come from within a business and be embedded into a code of ethics.” The ethical treatment of employees was also a concern. Health and safety was 4th on the list and fair pay and employment conditions were in 9th place. Remuneration and reward, however, were down at 25th on the list. “When it comes to their own remuneration, business leaders are at risk of being out of touch on this issue,” says Peters. “The IBE’s Attitudes of the British Public to Business Ethics survey shows the British public is consistently concerned about pay, especially executive pay.” Surprisingly, contribution to climate change and wider environmental impact of business operations, and of products and
6 | Acquisition International, Issue 3 2024 Defining the Future of Corporate Digitisation et on heralding in the new age of corporate custom advisory digitalisation, WebAccountPlus has tirelessly worked to reshape the capabilities of the current market through the use of innovative technologies. Equipped with a client-centric approach – one that combines customer needs with ingenuity to continuously adapt to any potential demand – the collective promises empowerment in droves as a direct result of its carefully curated suite of services. In essence, WebAccountPlus is in the business of providing cuttingedge solutions to accounting firms, banks, insurance companies, governments, and other worldwide corporate entities. However, where WebAccountPlus truly flourishes is in its work with digitising SMEs, the likes of whom it believes are the engine of any economy. Thanks to its detailed digitised suite, WebAccountPlus primarily encourages SMEs to realise their full potential by making the shift from manual data work to automatic systems that accurately store, manage, and provide plentiful information at the click of a button. WebAccountPlus is in the pursuit of digitising the corporate world and has taken its role as a pioneer of such a drastic transformation exceptionally seriously. As such, the suite that it has devised combines a multitude of industry-leading technologies to deliver results. From improved performance to a higher learning curve, WebAccountPlus capably guides businesses forward, uplifting them to become the best versions of themselves without having to place strain on their teams in the process. And with such a wide breadth of industry understanding, WebAccountPlus has granted itself access to a diverse clientele, each immersed within a variety of sectors. Assisting these very customers is where WebAccountPlus thrives, and it’s what has allowed it to continuously adapt its services in order to provide real-time company data. This data is made accessible by WebAccountPlus’s renowned, award-winning Digital Corporate AdvisorTM platform – an all in one suite whose capabilities span a myriad of individual specialties. This platform has already been recognised far and wide for its immense capabilities, be it in terms of swift integration or its boundless potential, but where it really shines is in its ability to transcend restrictions through the use of the world’s most advanced technologies to date. Harnessing the immense power of the technology sphere, WebAccountPlus has triumphed in producing an accessible suite for each client. This suite, known for its intuition and accuracy, has become a fundamental part of its users’ businesses. Not only does it create an avenue for streamlined data management, but it assists in handling every corporate aspect imaginable. In turn, it’s become an invaluable tool for anyone seeking to integrate innovative processes into their companies. Enhanced by the wisdom and talent of WebAccountPlus’s professional team, the platform manages to flawlessly balance its capabilities with a user-friendly interface to create a pleasurable experience when managing the trickier aspects of a business’s inner workings. To truly understand the depth of such a capable platform, however, we believe it essential to delve into each individual product contained within WebAccountPlus’s highly versatile suite. And, when it comes to personal robotic assistants, no other can hold a candle to WebAccountPlus’s Digital Corporate AdvisorTM. As an AI-powered support agent, the advisor completely removes the need for financial or business expertise, instead providing real-time data that’s capable of detecting major problems before they arise. From there, it generates suggestions on how to resolve issues such as liquidity, inventory, employee performance tracking, outdated infrastructure, and much more. Partner this with its omni-channel format, and you’ve got a flexible AI assistant readily available at all times. In addition, WebAccountPlus has integrated the Hybrid Strategic Advisor, the esm+Strategy app by esm Group built by the creators of the Balanced Scorecard, Dr. Robert S. Kaplan and Dr. David P. Norton – a means for companies to define their strategies through an integrated tool. The Hybrid Strategic Advisor acts as a way for companies to receive dynamic strategy maps that centre around the art of communication, driving alignment across multiple business units and departments, and tracking progress against strategic objections, measures, and initiatives. In short, it creates individual strategy plans, and then predicts the best way to execute said strategies depending on various factors. Regardless of what a user is seeking to gain from implementing its strategic capabilities, the Hybrid Strategic Advisor is beyond capable of assisting. As well as being able to develop tangible strategies in record time, WebAccountPlus’s platform also provides a digital letterbox that makes payment, document storage, and protection struggles a thing of the past. The digital letterbox simplifies the process tenfold, while acting as a wonderful way for companies to connect with one another. And with an intuitive smart dashboard at the ready, it manages to streamline displays in relation to present requirements. From displaying open contact requests and invitations, to new key figures and tasks, WebAccountPlus’s digital letterbox promises to be a dependable communication hub that lays every essential detail out for the user to clearly see. However, clarity isn’t the only standout feature of WebAccountPlus’s platform. In addition to enhancing the visibility of crucial business statistics, the platform also delivers insight into performance management. This all in one strategy application has been specifically built to drive results, from simplifying the review process, to aligning corporate strategies through immense levels of motivation. Recently anointed as the Best AI-Driven Corporate Advisory Platform 2024 – Global, WebAccountPlus is a company who holds an undeterred desire to pioneer the future of corporate digitisation. Leveraging the immense capabilities of AI and various other innovative technologies, the collective has devised an allencompassing platform that provides every solution a business could need to streamline their processes and accurately manage all aspects of their inner workings. Throughout this article, we uncover the detailed suite of services WebAccountPlus has developed, and how said services have prepped the landscape for a thorough transformation. S
Partnered with the performance management application’s ability to automatically track personal balanced scorecards and KPIs across teams, while simultaneously creating dashboards that show performance in relation to strategy, WebAccountPlus has devised a definitive solution for performance recognition. This performance management application directly links to WebAccountPlus’s next level HR software, through which HR processes are made readily available, while remaining perfectly organised. Thanks to this impeccable arrangement, users benefit from the flawless tracking of performance reviews, allowing them to respond in order to develop their teams into exquisite entities. In fact, it even encourages users to advertise positions across more than 600 portals with a single click, helping them to recruit top talent in record time. Gone are the stresses of HR organisation – WebAccountPlus has completely overhauled the process, forming it into an immaculately arranged software just waiting to be used to its fullest potential. On the topic of potential, WebAccountPlus’s CRM assistant acts as an intelligent companion upon which users can rely when mapping business networks and increasing their overall success. This is achieved through the creation of 360-degree contact profiles. In essence, these profiles provide in-depth insights into what’s happening with contacts, while recognising and identifying relationship networks, important contact data, lists and evaluations, and organising contacts based on properties, categories, and tags. Additionally, the assistant can also generate statistics and evaluations about contacts, in tandem with providing extensions with customisable input fields and masks. Truly, customer relationship management has never been more intuitive. Of course, in order to maintain a rising level of success within a business, one must ensure that their finances are fully dedicated to the areas that need them the most. Defining the Future of Corporate Digitisation
8 | Acquisition International, Issue 3 2024 WebAccountPlus’s platform makes this far easier – through the use of AI-driven expense management solutions, companies are given access to fully automated reimbursements, centralised spend management, automated transaction reconciliation, and many more features just waiting to be explored. At their core, these solutions are WebAccountPlus’s answer to tricky financial management processes, instead crafting them into an intuitive experience that promises modernity and efficiency. Whether it’s creating easy access to astoundingly designed accounting, analytics, or multi-banking services, or handling detailed processes that could detract valuable attention away from critical business aspects, WebAccountPlus’s innovative platform looks to bring together a wide array of services to eliminate any and all challenges a client may face. Specifically tailored to streamline all financial operations and make datadriven decisions across all disciplines, while keeping businesses ahead of the competition, WebAccountPlus demonstrates an exceptional level of skill in harnessing the boundless capabilities of AI and technology. And with digital advisory services included, WebAccountPlus promises to be a reliable companion to SMEs seeking to empower themselves through the use of revolutionary digitisation strategies. It’s this very nature that truly defines WebAccountPlus. Whether it’s working with accounting firms, governments, fintech companies, associations, or ministries, the collective leverages its immense pool of talent to guide clients through their first brave step into digitisation. Through this guidance, WebAccountPlus empowers SMEs to focus on their core businesses. Without having to manage all of the processes that WebAccountPlus’s suite can seamlessly oversee, these very SMEs can turn their attention to improving their overall performance. For too long have collectives been weighed down by manual approaches, and WebAccountPlus is proud to act as a beacon for any looking to venture down the route of digitisation. Of course, as is the primary trait of technology, evolution is constantly occurring. Only recently were we shown what the next step forward for AI is going to look like, and it’s only a matter of time before digitisation becomes essential for every collective across the globe. Thankfully, WebAccountPlus is leaps and bounds ahead of the curve, with its suite already making integration a breeze for any company ambitious enough to give it a try. Despite this, WebAccountPlus is working each and every day to beat the rapid pace of the industry – a determination that’s acting as a constant companion throughout 2024. Should clients’ needs evolve, WebAccountPlus promises to be there to further expand its suite in order to guarantee that their businesses remain at the forefront of industry innovation. Though tightly focused on upholding its level of quality for the sake of its clients, WebAccountPlus is also relentlessly pursuing a better tomorrow for its own inner workings. With ambitious plans to invest in differing types of technology, while simultaneously expanding its global presence and further enhancing its award-winning platform, WebAccountPlus ambitiously works on strengthening its partnerships to deliver even greater services to its clients. In doing so, it’s sure to retain its position as an industry leader upon which all users can depend when digitising their businesses. Further, it is a company committed to sustainability and environmental responsibility, with its platform enabling SMEs to generate ESG/SDG ratings, in addition to it promoting sustainable practices and contributing to an eco-friendlier economy. Its seven years of dedicated work, focus on sustainability, global expansion plans, and industry recognition indeed make it a frontrunner in revolutionising the corporate advisory landscape through artificial intelligence. Moving forward, the company invites the opportunity to further discuss how its innovative solutions can drive positive change and economic growth on a global scale. As the Best AI-Driven Corporate Advisory Platform 2024 – Global, WebAccountPlus boasts a plethora of capabilities just waiting to be explored by anybody who may be interested in digitisation. Technology is inarguably the new frontier, and venturing out into it requires a guide who has trodden the terrain time and time again. WebAccountPlus is one such entity – a master of moulding technology to meet the growing needs of clients across the world. With such an immense level of prowess on display through its exceptional platform, WebAccountPlus guarantees a seamless digitisation transition that will, no doubt, reshape the companies it touches forever. Contact: Roland Stahli Company: WebAccountPlus Web Address: https://webaccountplus.com/
Defining the Future of Corporate Digitisation
10 | Acquisition International, Issue 3 2024 Wealth Planning Solutions That Matter ombard International Group operates across 9 cities, offering an internationally diversified footprint serving 15+ markets across Europe. With over 450 employees, the firm serves partners and clients with multi-jurisdictional unit-linked life insurance, also known as Wealth Assurance or Private Placement Life Insurance, exhibiting expertise, experience, and focus in their core specialty. By collaborating with clients’ trusted advisers, such as private banks, family offices, independent wealth and financial advisers, tax lawyers, or investment managers, the team provides solutions to safeguard and invest assets sustainably, enabling them to be passed on to future generations. Their dedication lies in helping clients ensure their assets serve them not only now but also in the future. “We build strong, collaborative partnerships with professionals from within the financial ecosystem for the long-term. We exist to make our clients’ legacies count. ” Lombard International understands their partners’ and clients’ increased focus on long-term stability and sustainability, which includes reviewing where their wealth is invested, reassessing the ‘purpose’ of their wealth, and aligning their assets with their nonfinancial goals and aspirations. Stuart explains, “There is a clear shift in attitude from future-oriented HNW families who want their preferences to be reflected in their wealth plans. This involves effectively safeguarding wealth and indispensably transmitting the knowledge, values, and skills necessary for its sustained management by the next generations that follow.” Lombard International attributes much of their success to their people. The company is widely recognised as home to some of the best talent and expertise in the market. This team of experienced subject-matter and technical experts includes over 50 different nationalities speaking over 30 different languages. This brings local knowhow to engage with clients and partners in their native tongue, with a deep understanding of regional cultures, needs, and requirements, enabling them to provide an excellent service on an international scale. Their expertise runs deep. Over three decades within the industry means that the team has established a thorough understanding of their clients’ unique requirements, enabling them and their trusted advisers to navigate an uncertain world, dynamic financial markets, and shifting regulatory regimes. Stuart explains, “For these clients, wealth is often accumulated over generations, or generated through creating their own businesses. Their assets carry with them a sense of responsibility, as well as the fiduciary duty to be preserved and protected for future generations. However, as the world becomes more unpredictable and uncertain, with shifting geopolitical landscapes, confidently achieving these goals can be more challenging. “In addition, modern family dynamics and structures, such as family members being dispersed around the world, also contribute to greater financial intricacies. This is where we come in. We support our partners in developing relevant wealth planning strategies, ensuring we can provide peace of mind to their clients.” “Our solutions offer flexibility, portability, one of the strongest policyholder protection regimes in Europe, and the ability to access a large investment universe, including private markets and alternative assets. In addition, Lombard International Assurance, our Luxembourg-based European carrier, benefits from the strength and stability of an AAA-rated country. ” Wealthy families are now placing even greater focus on multigenerational wealth transfer strategies, with the portability of wealth remaining a priority for many UHNW and HNW individuals and their families. Additionally, asset protection is a key concern for these Firmly established within the heart of the financial services industry, Lombard International Group (Lombard International) sits at the intersection of wealth management, private banking, and insurance. With more than 30 years’ experience, Lombard International is the leading European provider of insurance-based wealth, estate, and succession planning solutions for upper affluent, high-net-worth (HNW), and ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals. Recognised by Acquisition International magazine as the Best Wealth & Succession Planning Solutions Group 2024, we speak to their Group CEO, Stuart Parkinson to delve deeper into the company’s winning formula. L
Wealth Planning Solutions That Matter individuals as strategies are evolving to future-proof wealth against unforeseen risks and changing regulations. But, most importantly, client and partner expectations with regard to service are increasingly demanding – they expect seamless service, swift answers, and higher levels of personalisation. Furthermore, as business practises shift towards more automated interactions and the world becomes increasingly connected, the need for continuous digital development is more important now than ever. There is a clear opportunity for the Wealth Assurance sector to enhance its digital footprint in order to deliver even greater service and operational efficiency to its stakeholders. Digital solutions and the automation of business processes must therefore continue to transform and evolve while maintaining a client-centric servicing approach. Finding the right balance between human expertise and technology is critical to delivering operational excellence. In this regard, artificial intelligence will no doubt have a positive impact by supporting wealth professionals in being more efficient and focused on their core expertise, rather than on manual and repetitive tasks. Technology is revolutionising the way Lombard International services their partners and clients. Digital platforms and automated tools not only enable more efficient and secure financial management but also empower wealth management providers to deliver an enhanced experience to their partners and clients. Ultimately, Lombard International continues to build excellent momentum and presence within its sector. Their financial strength and strong business performance further highlights the success and importance of their long-term strategy. By continuing to invest in building a sustainable business while also forging strong partnerships across the European geographies they serve, the business is primed for continued growth. Stuart goes on to tell us more about what the future entails for Lombard International: “In 2024, we remain focused on further developing and growing our business and deepening our relationships with our partners. We will continue to prioritise our ongoing investments in enhancing our processes and systems, growing our digital capabilities and related offerings. In a challenging macro-economic environment, partners and clients will continue to look for efficient and sustainable wealth and succession planning solutions – and we are here to support them. “As a European leader in our sector, our objective of delivering against our core purpose remains steadfast. We look to 2024 and beyond with enthusiasm, as the business is fully equipped to seize the market opportunities ahead and deliver service excellence to current and future partners and clients.” Company: Lombard International Group Email: CommunicationsMailbox@lombardinternational.com Website: www.lombardinternational.com
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Issue 3 2024, Acquisition International | 13 Trend-setting Enterprise AI For Faster and Bolder Finance Operations reeing up the mundane processes for financial operations staff so that they can focus on what matters most to their business, Emagia’s plethora of solutions focus on receivables, collections, disputes, deductions, document automation, cash-flow forecasting, credit risk management, online credit applications, and other such services within the order-to-cash management space. By creating excellent products that free up time and make the operations of clients demonstrably faster, the company is adhering to its core values, merits that were created with Founder and CEO Veena Gundavelli at the helm. Having thrived in the AI space for over a decade, the company is no newcomer riding the AI popularity wave, having instead utilised its services in this sector for a number of industries inclusive of manufacturing, logistics, pharma, automotive, and financial. While others may leverage underdeveloped AI tools, Emagia has its digital assistant/“copilot”, Gia. Veena explains this technology in further detail, saying, “Gia, embedded in virtually all of Emagia’s offerings, allows users to type in natural language prompts to quickly find insights, statistics, create documents, read documents, and so many more functions that allow financial leaders to make faster, bolder decisions. ” Gia’s unrivalled machine learning capabilities help it to accurately predict what a user seeks to do next, measurably aiding them in such areas as collection and invoicing. Utilising the most recent and updated form of GenAI, the company’s newest digital offering, GiaGPT, serves as the company’s answer to ChatGPT, and upon its unveiling by Emagia in September last year, became the first generative AI-based order-tocash solution in the world. With AI becoming mainstream last year, 2023 saw the company named by CNBC as one of the best fintech companies in the world, and an “innovator” in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant. 2024 will see Emagia being more active than ever before in several key areas, with the team having recently unveiled the AI for Finance newsletter, February marked the launch of the Emagia AI for Finance Podcast, whereby the top thought-leaders in both the AI and business worlds will chat in a bimonthly series, offering invaluable information in a relaxed and entertaining setting. Several conferences will too be graced by the presence of Emagia this year, notably the Shared Services Organization Week Conference in Orlando, starting March 25th, as well as NACM’s Credit Congress event in Las Vegas, starting on June 9th. The Emagia team will be speaking at both of these events, as well as the many others that will play host to the company over the rest of the year. Such events are sure to be incredibly insightful, with Emagia utilising its decade-plus of experience to help companies and their leaders achieve impactful results and reach goals thanks to developments in AI. Contact: Brian Shappell Company: Emagia Web Address: https://www.emagia.com/ With an industry-leading AI platform that has processed more than $900b in accounts receivables across 90 countries and 25 languages, Emagia has certified itself as a superior business in the autonomous finance for the order-to-cash and payments solutions sector. Streamlining processes, increasing efficiency, and enhancing decision-making, the company is dedicated to empowering finance professionals with a series of state-of-the-art technologies and a digital copilot, not designed to replace human involvement, but boost productivity. Founder and CEO Veena Gundavelli tells us more about the triumphs that have led to Emagia being named as Most Innovative O2C Automation Solutions Firm 2024 - Western USA. F
14 | Acquisition International, Issue 3 2024 xperienced, achieved, and recognized by multiple peer reviews and institutions as one of the top trial and appellate lawyers in not only New York City, but also the wider New York State and the entirety of the United States of America, Joseph P. Awad has experienced a storied career that spans more than four decades of exemplary practice. During this time, Joseph has administered the successful prosecution of more than 1000 personal injury cases from medical malpractice and construction site injury through to car accidents, wrongful death, and unsafe buildings, in the process garnering outstanding achievements such as record settlements and jury verdicts. Celebrated for his prowess in the industry through his featuring in lists inclusive of the Best Lawyers in New York, New York Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America, Joseph also operates bolstered by the highest possible rating, AV, from MartindaleHubbell, celebrating his legal ability as well as his ethical standards of practice. Moreover, in more than 140 separate cases, Joseph has attained million-dollar recoveries, this in addition to achieving the highest jury and appellate award within a single year. Aside from his practice, Joseph is an expert in legal education, teaching advanced classes to lawyers across New York regarding trial skills, evidence, civil procedure, and proof of damage. Joseph P. Awad’s distinction in the field goes back to the beginning of his legal journey, which can be traced to his graduating from Binghamton University in 1976 with a Bachelor of Arts, as well as being bestowed with its Outstanding Academic Achievement Award and also Departmental Honors in the area of foreign policy. From here, Joseph then spent three years at Albany Law School on a full-tuition merit scholarship, graduating in 1981 with his J.D. (Juris Doctor). Before entering law school, Joseph worked for several years in a furniture factory, a steel factory, and raising and harvesting fruits and vegetables on an 80-acre family farm. He credits these years of work between undergraduate studies and law school with giving him the values of hard work, human insight, and awareness of the thinking and goals of the average American citizen. Describing his professional devotion to his clients, Joseph tells us, “We work as a team on all client cases. The team includes me as lead trial lawyer with the co-counsel of very experienced trial lawyers, exceptionally skilled in written and oral argument, record and document analysis, and attitudes of hard work and unlimited time devoted to winning the best result for a client.” He continues, “The paraprofessional members of my team each have more than 20 years’ experience, know all the ‘ins and outs’ of court rules and protocols, are empathetic to our clients’ hardships, and are always available to answer questions.” Joseph is driven to go above and beyond for his clients, telling us of his principles: “My core values are always [to do] what is best and most time-efficient for my clients, always striving to meet standards of excellence in trial strategy and technique. Clients’ needs always determine my legal work.” With this ethos in tow, it is no surprise then that Joseph boasts dozens of multi-million-dollar recoveries and has succeeded in securing record jury verdicts as recently as 2022 and 2023, something that has been aided immeasurably by his more than 30 years of experience in the realm of legal representation before appellate and trial courts and juries from the local communities, with his victories ultimately serving to set future legal precedents. Other distinctions similarly follow suit, and over the course of his career, Joseph has earned the right to receive appointments from the likes of the Governor of the State of New York and the Governor’s Medical Malpractice Task Force, appointed by two Chief Judges of the State of New York to Judicial Screening Committees, was elected President of the New York State Trial Lawyers, as well as having served on the board of directors across a series of national trial lawyer associations. In a career filled with highlights and tremendous accolades, one particularly notable one for Joseph is his receiving of “national recognition and commendation for all the pro bono work I devoted to the surviving families and loved ones killed in the 9/11 attack in 2001”. This list of accolades serves as but a choice few of the multitude of accomplishments achieved by Joseph P. Awad over the course of his tenure as a lawyer, with this consistent success being possible thanks to the meticulous combination of an unrivalled insight into the field and the necessary contacts to get the job done right. Joseph tells us, “I consult and retain the very best medical, scientific, engineering, economic, and life care planners to explain and demonstrate the losses and financial and human impacts caused by the injuries to my clients. I know who to ask for the very best and ethical forensic support in prosecuting a client’s lawsuit.” In addition to these true, tried, and tested methods, Joseph and the team also remain acutely aware of the importance of adopting the latest technologies across their services, ensuring that their clients receive solutions of the highest caliber that are sure to lead to demonstrable results and increased chances of successful outcomes across their cases. Instrumental in this has been the adopting of the very best software and pioneering A.I. for use in Joseph P. Awad of Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. is a highly experienced trial and appellate lawyer whose particular legal concentration lies in representing workers who have been injured in construction site accidents or persons that have sustained injuries relating to medical malpractice, and it is the latter of these offerings that has resulted in Joseph being bestowed with the title of Leading Medical Malpractice Attorney of the Year - New York. At the heart of his exemplary approach is a learned knowledge of which experts are the best to consult across any given situation, with Joseph leveraging this ability to solve the legal concerns of his clients effectively, all contributing to his carving out of a stellar reputation for successful recovery. Joseph himself tells us more about his distinguished career and the like-minded triumphs of his firm. E Four Decades of Sophisticated Medical Malpractice Magnificence
managing client’s cases, ensuring that the firm is able to remain on top of things, something aided further by the internal setting of goals/dates for progress updates, so that a client is kept in the loop and receives communication of any developments. Expounding further on this software, Joseph tells us that in the coming years, the firm’s online databases will effectively undertake a meticulous and comprehensive review and analysis for evidence and proof of a client’s case from thousands of pages of documents that span medical/hospital records, meta data, contracts, engineering blueprints, and business records – facts that will prove successful to securing a just and fair result for clients across claims relating to construction site injury and medical malpractice. His team remains steadfast in their unwavering commitment to developing new persuasion methods, streamlining effectiveness regarding accountability for those who have wronged clients. Four Decades of Sophisticated Medical Malpractice Magnificence Ultimately, from surgical and medication malpractice to birth injuries, cancer, heart attack, and stroke misdiagnosis, and a host of other serious personal injuries caused by car crashes and unsafe buildings, Joseph P. Awad and team have proven themselves to be members of a firm that a client can trust, anchored in more than 40 years of experience, a history of winning cases, and a reputation for excellence. On the back of such successes, it is our privilege to name Joseph P. Awad as Leading Medical Malpractice Attorney of the Year - New York, a title well deserved as he continues to serve as a beacon for exemplary practice in New York’s legal sphere. Contact: Joseph P. Awad Email: oneidajoe33@gmail.com Company: Silberstein, Awad & Miklos, P.C. Web Address: https://ask4sam.net/
Aug22499 16 | Acquisition International, Issue 3 2024 Jan24198 Creating Immersive Phygital Experiences ased in Italy, Hevolus is a specialist in enhancing the customer experience. The Hevolus team offers clients the opportunity to improve their customer journeys through a unique hybrid customer experience that combines the physical and digital worlds into phygical experiences. Hevolus achieves this through hVerse, the world’s first low-code platform, which allows clients to customise metaverses in webXR. Blending the concept of a retail space and mixed reality, this innovative platform aims to revolutionise the user experience enabling clients to build custom 3D environments to meet their individual requirements. Through hVerse, organisations can create virtual spaces such as meeting rooms, reception rooms, and showrooms to receive customers and partners, organise meetings, and present products. These virtual spaces can be accessed across multiple platforms, creating immersive experiences powered by augmented reality or virtual reality technology (AR/VR). The Hevolus team are highly experienced in integrating emerging technologies into phygital experiences such as blockchain, digital twins, NFTs, AI, IoT, and cloud computing. These innovations enable the company to create memorable customer journeys and develop business strategies for clients across a wide range of sectors. Strategies offered to clients include the study of the customer journey, the R&D of IT platforms, and operational tests to ensure their virtual experiences are ready for customers. Hevolus has supported many renowned brands to build their unique concepts including Ferroli, Microsoft, Natuzzi Italia, the National Chamber of Italian Fashion, Würth, and Vodaphone Business. Clients are primarily attracted to Hevolus’s acclaimed customisation options which enable them to develop scalable, tailored solutions. In addition to hVerse, Hevolus has also created Hybrid Learning Space (HLS), a pioneering solution to enhance the learning experience. With HLS, educational institutions can unlock the potential of phygital learning and create immersive virtual classrooms using AR and VR. Classrooms set up with Microsoft HoloLens 2 allow the teacher and several students to interact in a holographic environment while a Surface Hub allows the entire class to experience Mixed Reality in Spectator View. Participants can interact with 3D models and multimedia contents, designed to make learning more accessible and effective. Hevolus has adopted a customer-first strategy which involves its team following market behavioural trends in order to meet consumer demands. With its client-centric approach, Hevolus was uniquely positioned to support its clients through the pandemic. The team had designed and implemented augmented and mixed reality stores for Natuzzi Italia before the pandemic and was able to apply the techniques it learnt to other projects. The pandemic accelerated progress for Hevolus, requiring the company to respond quickly to support clients across a range of industries and sectors. Since its inception, Hevolus has helped numerous organisations achieve success and grow to meet the demands for their services. The Hevolus team understands the important role that technology will play in the future of business innovation and growth. Through the power of digital transformation, Hevolus has created countless collaborative and highly engaging environments for its clients. Dedicated to enhancing the customer journey, the team strives to exceed the expectations of organisations and their customers with unique and memorable phygical experiences. As a future-forward company, Hevolus is dedicated to leveraging new technologies and continuing to innovate in order to revolutionise the user experience. For its client-centric approach, we have bestowed on Hevolus Innovation a Global Excellence Award. Contact: Antonio Squeo Company: Hevolus Innovation Web Address: https://www.hevolus.com/en In the digital age, the customer experience has taken on a new dimension driven by digital transformation. Hevolus Innovation is an international leader in the development of technologies, specialising in AI, customer experience, and retail software. Innovation is at the heart of the business as well as a dedication to evolving with technology in order to create immersive customer experiences. For its integration of intelligent technologies, Hevolus Innovation has received this year’s award for Most Innovative Education CX Technology Provider. B
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