Anne B. Miller - Retired, IBM, USA
Anne Miller is a business transformation consultant and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. She is a recognized thought leader in business transformations that include strategy; methods and techniques; the application of technology to radically change processes, operations and organizational culture; and change management and adoption. Anne has delivered successful transformation projects with clients and within IBM for over three decades. Her awards include IBM Innovation and Excellence Award, IBM Eminence and Excellence Award (received twice), and the Santa Fe Symposium® Business Innovation and Ambassador Awards. Anne recently received recognition from Tiffany Manufacturing at their Technical Innovation Day. This is her ninth presentation at the Santa Fe Symposium.
Blockchain: Stories from the Field
Responsible sourcing, proof of provenance and verifiable trust are becoming increasingly important to the jewelry industry. Today's consumers are more informed than ever before and expect transparency on the value and background of their purchase, with a willingness to pay more for sustainable goods. The ability to share the story of a piece of jewelry from mine to retailer is a competitive differentiator and resonates with customers. In addition, governments are targeting the jewelry industry to know and document the origins of all materials or be subject to additional regulations.
Blockchain is becoming an important solution to address the challenges of trust. This paper explores the realities of blockchain implementations to help the industry more fully understand how this technology addresses critical issues and what to expect from production applications. First-hand stories from the field will add context and dimension to deepen an appreciation for blockchain applications for jewelry manufacturing.