The Press Room from Deloitte Insights

Digital transformation seems to be a given in most organizations. It's not a question of whether they will do it, but what sort of return they can expect from it. But finding those returns may depend more on the underpinnings of the transformation, not the top-level technologies or grand ambitions that are expressed. John Marcante and Tim Smith have been in the trenches of digital transformations. Marcante spent almost 30 years in both technology and business leadership positions at Vanguard, culminating in his role as Global CIO. He led the company's digital transformation in 2012, changing not just the technologies used but also the way Vanguard's teams operated. He is currently CIO-in-residence for Deloitte Consulting LLP. Tim Smith is the head of  Deloitte Consulting LLP's Tech Strategy and Business Transformation practice in the United States and leads the global team in digital transformation research. He authored the article Unleashing value from digital transformation: Paths and pitfalls, and is currently working on a new piece that identifies how organizations measure their digital transformation effects.  We spoke with Smith and Marcante about the importance of purpose in digital transformation, the factors that may lead to higher returns, and whether digital transformation is ever truly done.

Mary Ludgin, director of global investment research for Heitman, makes the case for lateral moves, role models, and redefining the criteria for a good hire

Holly Snyder, president of Nationwide Life Insurance, shares why courage, empathy and authenticity are key components of her leadership toolkit

Mary Mack, CEO of Consumer and Small Banking at Wells Fargo, shares how she's led teams through layoffs, mergers, massive disruption, and personal tragedy

The road to leadership is different for everyone—for Vanguard's Crystal Hardie Langston, it meant seeing the upside of disruption, insisting on accountability, and using data to shape the conversation around DE&I.

Employee well-being programs are a good start, but work processes and management practices might need to change too, according to two Deloitte workforce professionals

Ensuring equipment is compatible is only the first step—real interoperability shares goals, harmonious systems, and a whole lot of trust.

The road to leadership is different for everyone—for State Farm's Sarah Mineau, it meant learning from disappointments, leaping at new opportunities, and having the courage to step off an established path.

Increasing reliability and smoothing out the customer experience could be key to making the holiday season bright for the retail and travel industries

Complex supply chains, data trustworthiness, manual spreadsheets—these are all challenges the consumer industry will have to overcome to make green claims more than hot air.  

About 200,000 people leave the US military every year. Making the transition to the civilian workforce can be challenging, and private-sector employers are stepping up to help. Wells Fargo is tackling the issue with one-on-one support, intensive programs, and the understanding that one size does not fit all.

The financial services industries are living in interesting times – with all the upheaval and uncertainty that implies. But Deloitte's Monica O'Reilly and Jim Eckenrode say opportunities are there for companies that concentrate on talent, technology and purpose.

The road to leadership is different for everyone. For Platinum Equity's Stephanie Barter, it meant starting early, trusting herself, and looking for potential in unexpected places.

The road to leadership is different for everyone. For American Express' Stacy Portizky, it meant embracing hybrid work before it was cool, knowing her non-negotiables, and discovering new opportunities without leaving her company.

The road to leadership is different for everyone—for Columbia Threadneedle's Laura Weatherup, it meant defining her own path, asking the right questions at the right times, and taking advantage of "voluntold" opportunities.  

The road to leadership is different for everyone. For Prudential Financial, Inc.'s Peggy Foran, it meant embracing grit, pushing search firms out of their comfort zones, and homing in on what's really important.

Organizations that make an extra effort to recruit, retain, and nurture neurodivergent workers can gain a competitive edge from increased diversity in skills, ways of thinking, and approaches to problem-solving

Tanya talks with Scott Buchholz and Mike Bechtel about cyber threats, charismatic AI, and the other factors that are automating, streamlining, and completely reinventing the world of IT.

COVID-19 variants, semiconductor shortages, labor-force issues … there's a lot of uncertainty in our economic future. Tanya Ott asks Ira Kalish to break down the factors that will influence the global economy over the next year.

After a year of change and upheaval, host Tanya Ott revisits some of our most popular and compelling discussions from 2021.

Executives are optimistic about prospects for the financial services industries—and about the opportunities for the industry lead the way to a more just, equitable and sustainable future for everyone.

High-income shoppers are ready to spend, but will the products they want be there for them? Deloitte's Rod Sides and Stephen Douglas share what to expect from this year's holiday shopping season.

ESG used to be seen as an add-on. Now, it's the data-driven way to understand long-term value. Deloitte's Kristen Sullivan and Veronica Poole explain what companies can do to embrace this changing perception.

Blockchain and digital assets could remake the financial services industry, and that affects everyone who uses money. Deloitte's Linda Pawczuk and Richard Walker share the insights gleaned from a survey of global industry leaders.

Where, how, and why we work are in flux as we move through the pandemic. Deloitte's Kraig Eaton and Nic Scoble-Williams discuss how employers can prepare for multiple futures of the evolving employer-worker relationship.

Huntsville, the Silicon Valley of the South, is the ideal city for business and networking. Politician Anthony Daniels, business owners Tammy Blish-Honeycutt and Tharon Honeycutt, and Deloitte leader Carey Miller tell us why.

It looks like back-to-school is getting back to normal—but there are still some ways that the pandemic has shifted the landscape. Deloitte's Rod Sides and Kate Ferrara discuss what to expect.

Amy Borrus, executive director of the CII, talks good governance, shareholder initiatives, and why activist investors and boards are really on the same side.

The road to leadership is different for everyone. For RBC's Katie Dudtschak, it meant recognizing the full scope of her own uniqueness – and helping others see the beauty and benefit of their own stories.

Increasing vaccination rates are raising hopes, but inflationary tendencies and lingering trade effects may prompt caution. Dr. Ira Kalish discusses the prospects for the world economy with host Tanya Ott.

Returnship programs have taken on new importance in the wake of COVID-19. Carol Fishman Cohen of iRelaunch and Deloitte’s Kristi Lamar break down the elements of a successful return from a career break.

In this episode, professor Mahadev Satyanarayanan talks to Tanya Ott about edge computing, AI, and how together they can solve myriad issues, from reducing air travel delay to helping the elderly, though wearable tech.

The public sector is often seen as slow-moving and behind the times. But around the world, governments are creating innovative responses to intractable challenges. Join us as we dive into the exciting new developments in the future of government. This episode, Tanya Ott speaks with Dr. Sonal Shah of Georgetown University, Professor Sir Geoff Mulgan of University College London, and BIll Eggers and Mike Canning of Deloitte.

What is the role of a chief sustainability officer in a financial services firm? Deloitte’s Dan Oakey and sustainability expert Emre Tiftik says it’s to build an environmentally conscious firm through strategy and influence.

Covid-19 was a catalyst for digital change in 2020, accelerating trends that were already in motion. Tanya Ott talks to Deloitte’s Scott Buchholz, Mike Bechtel and Anh Phillips to find out what comes next.

PTO helps workers avoid burnout and thrive at work. So why is it so hard to get people to take it? Tanya Ott talks to Deloitte’s Melanie Langsett and Nicole Nodi on how better policies can help.

In the first Press Room podcast of 2021, Deloitte’s chief global economist Ira Kalish talks to Tanya Ott about robust economic recovery, COVID-19 vaccine implementation, China, and Brexit.

To wrap up an unprecedented year, we present highlights from other podcasts in the Deloitte family as they tackle the fallout from COVID-19 on work, on life, and on industries as we go forward.

Deloitte financial services leaders Monica O’Reilly and Jim Eckenrode discuss how the financial services industry has adapted to the new normal, their initiatives on employee well-being, and the sectors' future outlook.

How can organizations sustain employee well-being in a world increasingly driven by and dependent on technology? By integrating technology in their wider well-being strategies, say Deloitte’s Jen Fisher and Anjali Shaikh.

Over the past 35 years, we've moved from catalog to TV to online to mobile shopping. Deloitte leader Rod Sides considers how the four types of American consumers will shop in a holiday season overshadowed by COVID-19.

The road to leadership is different for everyone. For Freddie Mac Multifamilies executive vice president Debby Jenkins, it meant embracing competitiveness and understanding that you’re never done.

From being backend support for firms to driving end-to-end change in firms: this is a story of the rise and rise of the tech leader. Deloitte’s Anh Phillips and Khalid Kark mull the evolution of tech roles in business.

Transportation agencies were in the process of making mobility systems more seamless, sustainable, accessible, affordable, and safe—and then came COVID-19. Avi Schwartz and J. Bryan Nicol discuss what comes next.

Once classified as a technology experiment, blockchain has made the leap from theoretical to practical. Deloitte’s Linda Pawczuk, Brian Hansen, and Rob Massey explain why blockchain is off to the races.

The road to leadership is different for everyone. For T. Rowe Price’s CFO Céline Dufétel, it meant navigating change (and ships), embracing the seven-minute rule, and not waiting for 110%.

The road to leadership is different for everyone. For TransUnion SVP of U.S. Markets Technology, it meant juggling change on multiple fronts, embracing experimentation, and learning by doing.

Augmented reality and 3D technologies are changing how customers shop both online and in-store. Deloitte’s Allan Cook, Shopify’s Daniel Beauchamp, and Wayfair’s Shrenik Sadalgi give host Tanya Ott a tour of the future.

To pay or not to pay: That’s the essential dilemma for governments faced with ransomware attacks. Deloitte’s Tim Li and Doug Powers tell host Tanya Ott how the public sector can face the looming threats.

Parents are still planning to shop for the new school year. But what they’re buying and how they’re shopping is changing in the face of the pandemic. Deloitte’s Rod Sides and Kate Ferrara discuss the data with host Tanya Ott.