MI Academy to launch Retail Hack Games e-Edition in partnership with Deloitte Digital
In partnership with Deloitte, MI Academy will launch Retail Hack Games e-Edition, an online event where Australia’s top retailers and solution providers will compete in teams to find innovative solutions to the industry challenges posed by COVID-19.
The first event of its kind, 50 of the brightest minds in Australian ecommerce, will collaborate virtually for a one-week hackathon, from Thursday 4th June to Friday 12th June 2020, developing solutions to the real issues, currently faced by Australian retailers.
Originally planned as an in-person event, the Retail Hack Games e-Edition has evolved into a one-week intensive Hack format covering 5.5 hours, where teams will utilise a suite of remote-working tools to collaborate. The event program includes The Kick Off (1hr) where players are introduced to their teammates, providing a virtual opportunity to network with the movers and shakers of the Australian ecommerce industry. Hack Week (3hrs) where teams work together virtually through a 4-part problem-solving process and prepare their pitch. The Grand Finale (1.5 hrs) where Hack teams present their solution to a panel of expert judges.
The event is open and free to anyone currently working for an Australian retailer including CMO’s, head of loyalty, sales, CEO’s, CIO’s, CTO’s, Product developers and more. There are only 50 places available to the Retail Hack Games e-Edition. Applicants can apply to play online now at MI Academy with applications closing Friday 15th May 2020.
Never has the Australian Retail industry faced a challenge as widespread and hard-hitting as COVID-19. It’s in times like these that we need true solution-focussed innovation. MI Academy does not believe this is a challenge that can be solved in isolation (no pun intended). It is going to take a diversity of minds to unlock a business’s capacity to adapt and weather the storm.
Says Alita Harvey-Rodriguez, founder and managing director, MI Academy: “Over the past few weeks, we have spoken with retail industry leaders, to understand the climate and devise a game plan that will help retailers build resilience during these uncertain times.
“We’re an industry that relies heavily on our ability to connect and share ideas, and we want to ensure this continues. There’s no strategy in anyone’s playbook as to what step we should next take, but we do believe with the right minds on the job, we can help real solutions begin to come to life.
“What the industry is looking for are answers that are immediately applicable, considered and insightful – innovation for retail new normal. That’s why we’re recruiting the best in the business to help us as a collective to achieve this.”
Formed by MI Academy, the Retail Hack Games e-Edition is presented by Deloitte the major event partner, sponsored by Shopify Plus, DotDigital, CouriersPlease and Klarna, and powered by Slack. Supporting community partners include NORA Network, Retail Global, kafandco and official research provider, Power Retail. Mayvers Peanut Butter and Who Gives a Crap have generously donated product.
MI Academy is now scouring the Aussie retail landscape to find the brightest minds in the business to form diverse, cross-functional teams. Applications are now open and due to the collaborative nature of the event, spaces are limited and expected to fill quickly. To apply, retailers should head to the MI Academy Retail Hack Games landing page to submit the player application form.
