Raj Mahajan
president,
SunGard’s
Trading Business
Our economy is in massive transition. It’s during massive dislocations like this that opportunities will emerge. Complete industries such as automotive and manufacturing are no longer competitive in a global economy. The financial sector has suffered a lethal blow. No doubt it will rise again but it will take time. These trends beg the question, what is going to fuel our country’s medium-term growth in the next 3 years? If we are honest with ourselves, what will be the United States’ comparative advantage in 2012?
I argue it’s going to be technology, entertainment, and perhaps higher education (whose laboratories can fuel critical scientific R&D) with technology front and center. Our industry will be government’s partner as it resuscitates our economy. As the US government re-invents new risk and regulatory standards, new systems will be needed. As clearinghouses are mandated, new systems will be needed. As firms consider the cost of doing business, technical efficiencies will be sought out. SunGard, as one of few technology companies with scale, expertise, and resources to be a partner to industry and government, could make an indelible imprint on the future design of American capitalism.
Firms need to think differently. Business models have changed. Organizations around the world are thirsty for ideas. Industry events, SunGard’s City Days, are just the venue for this type of conversation. What topics are on your mind? What keeps you up at night?