Business Excelleration Podcast

On this episode of the "Gen AI Breakthrough" podcast, Nic Walden interviews Placid Jover, the Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Teva Pharmaceuticals. They discuss Placid's leadership philosophy, which emphasizes leveraging data and analytics to unlock the potential of individuals and teams within an organization. 

 On this episode of the "Gen AI Breakthrough" podcast, hosts Matt Williams and Dan McCabe delve into the critical topic of successful deployments of enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems for organizations. They discuss the significance of ERP systems as a backbone for modern businesses and highlight the strategic steps necessary to overcome common misconceptions and challenges faced during implementation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of viewing ERP initiatives as transformational tools that can drive operational efficiencies and align with long-term business objectives 

On this episode of the “Gen AI Breakthrough” podcast, host and The Hackett Group's Global Payroll Advisory practice leader Tracee Bowles facilitates the discussion exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and global payroll. Joined by Dayforce's chief AI officer David Lloyd and The Hackett Group's senior vice president and head of the AI practice John Thompson, they highlight the transformative potential of generative AI in enhancing productivity, compliance, and managing cross-border complexities in payroll processes. Both guests share their insights on the evolving landscape of AI and its pivotal role in harnessing unstructured data and driving efficiencies in enterprise functions.

On this episode of the “Gen AI Breakthrough” podcast, Associate Principal, Nic Walden interviews Chief Procurement Officer, Alex Farrow of the Kindred Group to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the digital gambling industry. Alex shares insights into how the Kindred Group leverages AI to enhance efficiency, improve decision-making and automate processes within their operations. The conversation also highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with integrating AI in procurement and contract management. 

On this episode of the “Gen AI Breakthrough" podcast, Kyle McNabb hosts a discussion on the importance of proof of concept (POC) in testing AI solutions, highlighting its role in feasibility assessment and resource efficiency. Guests Kyle Robichaud and Jay Ruffin emphasize key factors such as data quality, risk mitigation, and alignment with organizational goals that influence the success of POCs. Additionally, it addresses the need for continuous education and effective communication to bridge the gap between executives and implementation teams.

 On this episode of the "Gen AI Breakthrough Podcast", host Penny Weller speaks with Opella's Karan R Bhatia about the critical role of branding for Global Business Services (GBS) hubs in a world increasingly influenced by Gen AI. Tune in to get answers to strategic questions like – Why having a reputation as a GBS hub can be beneficial to a company? How can Gen AI be an enabler for companies in this quest? What is a good way to measure success or return on investment 

In this episode of the "Gen AI Breakthrough Podcast", Kyle McNabb and Joe Nathan discuss how IT organizations are evolving to enable AI adoption across enterprises while transforming their own operating models. They explore the critical role IT plays in scaling AI responsibly, redefining governance, functions, and roles, and leveraging AI to enhance IT operations and development efficiency.

 In this episode of "The Gen AI Breakthrough Podcast", Jessica Haley and Amanda Newfield discuss the major challenges facing HR in 2025, including rising workloads, resource constraints, and persistent leadership gaps. They explore how strategic prioritization, HR tech optimization, and generative AI adoption can alleviate pressures and unlock capacity, particularly in talent acquisition and learning & development.  

This episode of The Hackett Group's Gen AI Breakthrough podcast explores the evolving skill sets finance professionals need to thrive in the age of generative AI. Hosts Kimberly Myers Dennis and Sherri Liao discuss the impact of AI on finance talent, emphasizing data literacy, ethical decision-making, and digital business partnering to ensure organizations successfully integrate AI alongside human expertise.

 In this episode of the “Gen AI Breakthrough Podcast,” Siobhan Riggott, Vin Kumar and Martijn Geerling discuss the findings of The Hackett Group's 2025 GBS Key Issues Study. Key topics include the top challenges facing global business services (GBS) leaders – cybersecurity threats, labor costs and employee turnover—along with strategies for cost leadership, value creation, service expansion, and the growing adoption of generative artificial intelligence and digital transformation to drive future resilience. 

 In this episode of the “Gen AI Breakthrough Podcast,” Andy Warzecha, Jessica Haley and Matt Merker discuss The Hackett Group's Talent Acquisition Digital World Class® Matrix Study. They explore how tech vendors are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance recruiter efficiency, reduce hiring costs, and improve candidate quality, while highlighting key differentiators and emerging trends in the talent acquisition landscape. 

This episode of the “Gen AI Breakthrough Podcast” explores findings from The Hackett Group's 2025 Procurement Key Issues Study, focusing on top priorities like the scaling of Gen AI, cost reduction, supply continuity and the evolving procurement operating model. Hosts Vicky Kavan and Chris Sawchuk discuss the disruptive impact of generative AI, the need for digital transformation, and the growing emphasis on talent, data analytics, and supplier relationship management in shaping the future of procurement. 

In this episode of The Hackett Group's “Gen AI Breakthrough Podcast,” Sherri Liao and Kimberly Myers Dennis of The Hackett Group explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping financial planning and enterprise advisement. From centralized service delivery models to the democratization of data science, the discussion highlights how finance professionals can evolve into strategic partners with advanced skills in critical thinking and digital expertise.

In this episode of the “Gen AI Breakthrough Podcast,” Kyle McNabb and Vince Griffin discuss findings from The Hackett Group's 2025 Finance Key Issues Study, highlighting the evolving role of finance as a valued business partner. They explore major challenges, including AI adoption, while also addressing priorities like cash flow optimization, cost-efficiency and data governance. 

This episode of the “Gen AI Breakthrough Podcast” explores findings from The Hackett Group's 2025 Enterprise Key Issues Study, with a focus on the rapid adoption of generative AI. Hosted by Andy Warzecha – with insights from Kyle McNabb, Vince Griffin and Harry Osle – the discussion covers AI-driven transformation, workforce skill gaps, and the challenges of scaling AI initiatives while balancing data quality and technology complexity.  

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® podcast, Vin Kumar speaks with IBM about their new transformative strategy. Learn how data is the “secret sauce” behind AI-powered insights and how to get it right for meaningful outcomes. The conversation also explores strategies like fostering cultural adoption, empowering teams with self-service tools, and co-creating with IBM's “Client Zero” approach of using its own technology in-house to ensure it's scalable and ready for clients. Looking ahead, IBM is shifting how businesses consume insights—from static reports to dynamic AI-driven conversations. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone navigating challenges with enterprise data or enhancing their data strategy.

In our latest “Business Excelleration® Podcast,” we share insights from The Hackett Group's 2024 SG&A Cost Study, exploring how European companies reduced costs while North American companies saw increases. To thrive, companies must assess performance, prioritize actions and align artificial intelligence (AI) with business goals. This episode hosted by Matt Douberly who is joined by, Tom Kellaway and Murray Shevlin as they discuss how generative AI can offer productivity gains of up to 44% and help organizations save up to $300 million annually by adopting Digital World Class® practices.

 The Hackett Group's “2024 Digital Award” winners are transforming complaint management with artificial intelligence (AI). On this episode of the “Business Excelleration® Podcast,” The Hackett Group's Vin Kumar discusses the award-winning AI project from 3M. He is joined by Josh Bodine and Michael Boba. The project was aimed at revolutionizing the email complaints management process in the order-to-cash cycle. Facing significant challenges in handling customer complaints, short payments and disputes, the team developed a sophisticated AI solution to categorize and analyze these issues, streamlining workflows and driving operational efficiency. 

New insights reveal powerful trends in contract life-cycle management (CLM). On this episode of the “Business Excelleration® Podcast,” Andy Warzecha – with Chris Sawchuk and Rick Gardner – dive into The Hackett Group's latest CLM study. CLM solutions are enhancing contract management with artificial intelligence (AI) for data extraction and seamless integration with enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management systems. Discover what 89% of organizations found valuable in their solutions, plus trends in AI-driven contract management. 

In this episode of the “Business Excelleration® Podcast,” Kyle McNabb interviews technology experts from The Hackett Group – Michael Fuller and Vladimir Petreski – as they dive into how generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) is transforming managed services. AI is enabling managed services providers to deliver customized, real-time solutions – automating routine tasks and changing team structures. As enterprises demand more tailored services, AI integration is key to staying competitive. 

What are Digital World Class® procurement organizations doing differently and better? What type of savings are they achieving and in what areas? How are they harnessing AI? In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, The Hackett Group's Kavan, Jamila Williams and Kurt Albertson take the listener through some of the most valuable insights from their recent research.

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, Jim O'Connor and John O'Mahoney discuss why certain finance organizations outshine the competition. Drawing insights from The Hackett Group's latest Digital World Class® research, they unlock key factors behind success. Their conversation highlights how investments in cutting-edge technologies, strategic preparations for adopting generative artificial intelligence, and enhanced data management contribute to their competitive advantage. 

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, host Tony DiRomualdo talks with Jessica Haley and Amanda Newfield about how HR organizations can achieve operational excellence while reducing costs. They also share insights from The Hackett Group's latest Digital World Class® research, including how leading teams are transforming data into actionable insights and the impact of Gen AI on disrupting the HR industry.

What distinguishes Digital World Class® technology organizations from their competitors? In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, Kyle McNabb and Mike Fuller tackle this question, drawing from The Hackett Group's recent research. They reveal that the key lies in providing high-value services, while aligning closely with business objectives and enhancing customer service. Additionally, they explore how cutting-edge technology functions are leveraging automation and setting the stage for Gen AI advancements.

Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) is revolutionizing financial reporting processes, streamlining operations and empowering finance teams to make more informed, strategic decisions. In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, Shawn Fitzgerald and Jim O'Connor discuss the transformative impact of AI in finance. They explore how companies are harnessing these advanced tools to build sustainable competitive advantages, focusing on the actionable insights Gen AI provides for enhancing business operations. 

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, Andy Warzecha, Harry Osle, and Matt Merker share insights from The Hackett Group's Digital World Class Matrix™ for human capital management (HCM) providers. They explore how advanced HCM technology can streamline processes, deliver actionable insights from precise data and bridge productivity gaps. They also discuss the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in human resources, including its applications in talent acquisition and employee development.

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, Kyle McNabb, Vin Kumar and Andy Warzecha delve into the transformative realm of generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI). They draw upon insights from client organizations, revealing their experiences, plans and strategies for implementing Gen AI. The discussion outlines different levels of Gen AI maturity, emphasizing the critical importance for organizations to adopt a holistic approach now or risk falling behind.

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, Andy Warzecha, Greg Morgan and John Sheridan discuss The Hackett Group's Digital World Class Matrix™ for multi-process human resources outsourcing (MPHRO) providers. They unpack key insights from the study, highlighting how MPHRO providers harness artificial intelligence to streamline operations and amplify client value. From automating routine tasks to delivering strategic insights, they explore the evolving role of MPHRO providers in transforming HR functions. 

In this episode of the “Business Excelleration® Podcast,” Anthony Snowball, Kyle Robichaud and Joe Nathan discuss the tangible advantages businesses are experiencing, while also addressing the critical ethical considerations of adopting generative artificial intelligence (AI). They also examine the pivotal role of boards and executives in setting pragmatic expectations and crafting effective AI strategies for sustainable growth.

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, Andy Moore and Peter Fugere reflect on the vibrant atmosphere and key takeaways from the recent OneStream Splash conference in Las Vegas. They highlight standout moments from the event, and discuss exciting new solutions and features on the horizon from OneStream. 

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, Vin Kumar, Kevin Church and Ramiro Ortiz explore how Gen AI is reshaping finance and how leaders are adapting. From engaging stakeholders to embracing new technologies and bridging skills gaps, they delve into the strategies guiding organizations of all sizes through this transformative period 

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, Anthony Snowball, Lee Derryberry and Franco Girimonte explore how generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) is revolutionizing human resources (HR). From optimizing recruitment processes to personalizing employee development, these technologies are reshaping HR operations. They discuss how AI algorithms analyze data to identify top talent, predict performance and enhance engagement strategies. Ethical considerations, including bias and privacy, are also examined.

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, Vin Kumar, Tim Yoo and Jeff Gilkerson explore the growing interest in generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) among procurement companies. They highlight the challenges companies face in understanding what they require to effectively integrate Gen AI into their operations, and discuss its potential impacts on efficiency, effectiveness, contract management and the necessity for enhanced skills training. 

In this episode of the Business Excelleration® Podcast, we explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and opening new pathways for innovation. As businesses embrace the potential of AI, what challenges will they face? What opportunities should they take advantage of? A discussion with Kyle McNabb, vice president of research, and Associate Principals Rob Donahue and Joe Nathan in our transformation practice.

What sets apart top-tier enterprise performance management (EPM) providers, enabling them to deliver unparalleled value and capabilities? Explore the integration of generative artificial intelligence into EPM solutions, reshaping the way organizations optimize performance. Hear The Hackett Group's Principal Andy Warzecha, Principal Jason Logman and Director Drew Johnson as they delve into insights from our groundbreaking Digital World Class Matrix™.

What unique challenges do mid-market companies have when it comes to digital transformation? How can they overcome them? A discussion with two experts from The Hackett Group's Business Services Transformation practice in the UK - Director Teresa Exton and Associate Principal Hermann Waschefort. 

What factors enable some customer-to-cash (C2C) receivables software providers to deliver far greater value and breadth of capabilities than others? How are C2C software providers integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI into their offerings? A discussion of findings from The Hackett Group's new Digital World Class Matrix™, with The Hackett Group Associate Principal Bryan DeGraw and Senior Director Rick Gardner. 

Interest in procurement transformation is surging. A discussion of what's driving demand, what approaches work best and real-life examples from The Hackett Group's recent procurement transformation engagements, with Director Natalie Henfrey from The Hackett Group's Procurement Transformation practice in Europe and Principal Tom Kellaway of The Hackett Group's Benchmarking practice. 

Listen to learn how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way human resources (HR) professionals do their jobs, and find out how HR leaders can drive AI adoption within their department and throughout the broader organization. Hear a candid conversation with CHRO Harry Osle, Senior Research Director Tony DiRomualdo and Associate Principal Amanda Newfield. 

MTN Group's Procurement Center of Excellence Leader Andrew Savage talks with The Hackett Group's Managing Partner and AI and Digital Operations Practice Leader Vin Kumar about MTN Group's Procurement Cockpit, a digital transformation project which received The Hackett Group's 2023 Digital Award in Source-to-Purchase. The central procurement intelligence platform focuses in three areas: sourcing intelligence, supplier governance, and best practices.

How can companies improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their finance and accounting operations by implementing OneStream as their corporate performance management system? How can the technology shift be used to drive process improvements and implement best practices? A discussion with Sahil Patel, a director in our OneStream practice, and Stephen Ferguson, a director in our Advisory practice. 

What priorities do technology leaders have for the coming year? How prepared are they to address them? Highlights of findings from The Hackett Group's 2024 Technology Key Issues research with Principal Michael Fuller and Principal Kyle Robichaud.The full show notes can be downloaded here. 

How has Bosch used artificial intelligence and automation to transform the contact center experience? Irfan Ali, director of Digital, Automation and Innovation at Bosch Service Solutions, talks with David Ketchin, managing director for The Hackett Group in Europe, about the dramatic results they've achieved. Bosch received a Digital Award from The Hackett Group in 2023 for their work. The full show notes can be downloaded here. 

What are the priorities for supply chain leaders in the year ahead? What improvement initiatives are they planning? A discussion of findings from The Hackett Group's 2024 Supply Chain Key Issues research with Principal Erin Blair and Principal Josh Nelson. The full show notes can be downloaded here. 

A discussion of The Hackett Group's new research – which finds that generative AI will enable companies to reduce selling, general and administrative (SG&A) costs and staffing by 40% over the next five to seven years – with Principal Vin Kumar, who leads AI and Digital Operations, and Associate Principal Joe Nathan.  The full show notes can be downloaded here. 

Vanessa Gleason, global head of Takeda Business Solutions, shares her organization's impressive digital transformation journey with Philip King, senior director, The Hackett Group. Gleason was a featured speaker at The Hackett Group's 2023 European Best Practices Conference in London.  The full show notes can be downloaded here. 

How has pharmaceutical giant Sanofi used technology to transform their human resources (HR) operation and improve the way they manage talent? The Hackett Group's Principal Vin Kumar talks with Sanofi Head of Process Intelligence Christian Mueller, Sanofi's Workday Employee Experience Product Owner Maria Elena Castillo and Sanofi Head of Employee Life Cycle & Solutions Christine Van Heertum about their cutting-edge efforts. Sanofi won a Digital Award from The Hackett Group in 2023.  The full show notes can be downloaded here. 

Human resources leaders are expecting to feel increasing pressure in 2024 in the face of global economic uncertainty and possible labor and skills shortages, and are turning to technology to help them improve efficiency and effectiveness. A discussion of findings from The Hackett Group's 2024 HR Key Issues research, with Senior Research Director Tony DiRomualdo. The full show notes can be downloaded here. 

In 2024, finance organizations will need to do more with less, with cost containment and cash flow optimization back at the top of their priority list. A discussion of findings from our 2024 Finance Key Issues research, with Shawn Fitzgerald, a senior research director at The Hackett Group; Tom Willman, a principal in the Finance Advisory practice; and John O'Mahony, a principal in the European Enterprise Performance Management practice. The full show notes can be downloaded here. 

In this episode of the “Business Excelleration®  Podcast,” what are global business services leaders focused on in 2024? What are their transformation priorities for the coming year? A discussion of findings from our 2024 Global Business Services Key Issues research, with Senior Director Penny Weller, Global GBS Advisory Practice Leader Martijn Geerling, and Digital Enablement and GBS Advisory Practice Leader North America Vin Kumar. The full show notes can be downloaded here. 

How have the priorities of procurement leaders changed for 2024? What role will generative AI and technology overall play in helping procurement achieve its goals? A discussion of findings from The Hackett Group's 2024 Procurement Key Issues research, with Senior Research Director Amy Hillcox and Global Procurement Advisory Practice Leader Chris Sawchuk. The full show notes can be downloaded here.