1. Big Picture Changes

The Fourth Industrial Revolution

Welcome to the 1st lecture!

I hope you are excited :-) Today, we are going to talk about the fourth industrial revolution and what this actually means. We all realize, changes happen very quickly these days. Everything is getting faster and somehow even more unpredictable. But how come? In order to set the scene, we have to look back in history.

In 1784, our industry made its first huge step forward with mechanization, the first industrial revolution. This revolution was driven by water and steam power, allowing a huge efficiency boost in production and manufacturing.

In the 1870s, the second revolution occurred. This revolution, called electrification was characterized by mass production through the division of labor and the use of electrical energy. Especially Henry Ford became famous for his assembly line technique in car production.

Starting in 1969, computers and electronics took over. The third industrial revolution was coined by automation and IT to further automate production.

We are currently developing the fourth industrial revolution identified as digitization. Digitization may also be referred to as Internet of Things or Industry 4.0, but what all understand is the overall connectedness along the value chain. Instant information can be gathered at every production step and even beyond.

Digital components and connected devices are already omnipresent in our daily lives. We’ve got our smartphone, smart watches and many other smart devices that produce ever-increasing amounts of information that can be turned into knowledge.

Software is the basis of it all! It’s the fuel of the future. As the famous venture capitalist Marc Andreessen once described in one of the best articles on innovation out there: “Software is eating the world.” , he said. This is the business transition that we are in today. Appropriate software allows startups with little capital and few people the ability to entirely transform traditional industries. The fourth industrial revolution stands for changing business rules and if you can master the combination between business and technology, you are going be well equipped for future.

So basically, what you have to understand is that we are right in the midst of a new era with unprecedented dynamics and new opportunities that we can seize. The fourth industrial revolution, like the three preceding business revolutions, demands that we accept new business rules. Companies and people who do not understand or will not accept the new rules will quickly fall behind.

This is why you will learn everything you need to know in the coming days and weeks. But first of all, I want you to go look at all listed links below and study them carefully. As an expert, you have to be familiar with the best resources out there, which is why I have carefully put them together so that you can learn everything within a short period of time.

Everyday I will give you a quick intro in the beginning and afterwards want you to study the provided materials on your own. This is the most effective way to become an expert yourself and to be able to differentiate between average and great content.

To your success!

---- Daniel ----

1. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (17 min | )
2. Digitalisation (3 min | )
3. Software Is Eating The World (13 min | )
4. How Software Really Is Eating The World (8 min | )

Questions or Comments? - [email protected]