What is thought leadership?
At Xylem – as one of the largest global water technology manufacturers – we view thought leadership as an essential part of the role we play in the water sector. We want to answer the toughest questions in the sector, share our insights and expertise, and raise the topic of water higher on the global sustainable development agenda.
What is Xylem's approach?
We take a "grass-roots" and customer-centric approach to thought leadership. This means we tap into our water technology experts who are working closely with our customers to inform our thought leadership priorities. For example, our report on Powering the Wastewater Renaissance came out of collaborative research from our Treatment R&D team in Sweden and the IVL Swedish Environment Research Institute. We have a number of partners we work with to develop ideas, including Singapore PUB, Masdar Institute, MIT, Stanford, Columbia University, and the US Water Alliance, among others.
What are Xylem's thought leadership activities?
Our recent activities have been in the area of wastewater management, water reuse, and hydrological data. On the topic of wastewater, one recent report highlights the opportunity for utilities to make smart technology investments that cut emissions in half and save $40B across the life of the equipment. On the topic of reuse, a recent survey we conducted found that nearly 90% of Californians believe the state should continue to invest in recycled water for potable use even when not in a drought. ;We also will be hosting a few workshops at the 2017 World Water Week in Stockholm in case you want to learn more!
How important is it for Xylem?
This is seen as an essential part of our role as a leading global water technology and solutions provider and is a top priority for our leadership team as well as our local management teams around the world. Patrick Decker, Xylem President and CEO, has taken an active role in advancing this work and that leadership has resulted in strong support across the organization.
Thought leadership
A thought leader can refer to an individual or firm that is recognized as an authority in a specialized field and whose expertise is sought and often rewarded.
