Event overview
UPA Annual Lecture:Polaroid: How a Global Giant Developed and Faded Away
Steve Soden has great insight into the story of Polaroid. He spent over 12 years in the company – working in UK, European and Global roles.
At one stage Steve was responsible for the Business and Professional division worldwide with a turnover of $800 million. And he was closely involved in the last days of the company as it struggled for survival in the face of the digital photography revolution.
Polaroid was a fascinating place to learn about behaviour under pressure as the company was squeezed by intense pressure from competing technologies.
Steve is now an experienced non-executive director and board advisor. He works with companies to develop marketing and business strategy and to support effective implementation through the organisation, alongside an international reputation as a mentor.
Steve studied philosophy and psychology at Oxford University, majoring in Experimental Psychology. His training in social science was an important starting point in his understanding of organisational psychology and how this can be applied to the sphere of business and enterprise. He has lived and worked in Spain, Italy and the USA.
The UPA Annual Lecture will discuss:
His insider’s insight into the failure of Polaroid - an iconic company
How the same corporate culture that created a great company subsequently killed it
His views on the importance of understanding psychological forces at play in business
How technology transformed an industry in ways no one predicted
His analysis of a fascinating business case study
The contribution of Polaroid to the history of photography
The role of psychology in business culture and individual behaviour.
How these experiences might find parallels with wider business challenges
Dates & times
Date | Time | Add to calendar |
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7 Nov 2016 | 11:00am - 12:30pm |
Accessibility
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