STRIVE Jul. 2016 | Page 2

STRIVE ALASKA EDITION The Upside to a Downturn JULY - 2016 Editor Lee Leschper Contributing Editors Paula Bradison Heather Kinzie Rick Thomas Paul Wiltse Visualizers Jeanette Hamje with special thanks to Leila Aliev Administration Emmalee Bishop Published By RDTviews [email protected] Copyright © 2016 RDTviews. All rights reserved. I recently heard an oil industry executive quoted as saying that, “innovation does not happen at $100.00 a barrel.” Indeed, it has been my experience that full funding is the glue that holds status quo in place. It is hard to implement meaningful and substantial change while we are reclining in our comfort zones. The truth is it usually takes some form of disruption, or even a crisis, to get us moving to the next, and often better, place. Well, there is certainly disruption in Alaska! But is the sky really falling? Are we helpless victims of circumstance? I don’t think so and that is the purpose of this publication—to share both the good news and the ideas for positive change that we hear so little about. To be clear, this publication is not intended to be some form of Pollyanna, self-help pep-talk. But perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad thing if you did perceive it that way. The other contributors and I fully acknowledge that there is a lot to be concerned about with regard to the Alaska economy. But we also firmly believe that with disruption and uncertainty comes opportunity to reimagine what is possible and opportunity for new perspectives and ideas for innovation to get us moving to the next better place! To that end, I hope you find this publication to be an inspiration for innovation. I look forward to hearing your perspective. • Rick Thomas, CEO & President The Chariot Group Cover Story The Chariot Group : Torchbearer of Digital Transformation Pages 4-8 STRIVE 1 July 2016