Podcasts about Digital transformation

Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world's most influential organizations trust Pega's technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega's scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.comWhat if the most valuable use of AI in the enterprise is actually the often overlooked yet incredibly costly work of untangling decades of legacy code and process documents? Agility requires the ability to adapt and evolve, but for many enterprises, that ability is trapped inside decades of legacy systems and byzantine processes. What if the same AI that's creating the new could also be the key to understanding and modernizing the old? Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond the hype we're so used to hearing about AI and into the practical, high-impact world of agentic AI. We'll explore how this approach can help large organizations finally tackle their technical debt, not by ripping and replacing, but by understanding and redesigning from the inside out, fostering a new level of collaboration between business and IT along the way. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Don Schuerman, CTO at Pega. About Don Schuerman As CTO and Vice President of Marketing & Technology Strategy at Pegasystems, I see my role as being a "Chief Translation Officer" – bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business value. With 25 years of experience in orchestration and AI technology, I'm passionate about translating complex technical concepts into meaningful solutions that drive digital transformation for global organizations.My approach to technology leadership has been shaped by an unexpected source: 20 years of improv comedy at ImprovBoston's Mainstage. The skills I honed there – active listening, storytelling, and thinking on my feet – now help me connect with both technical teams and business leaders. It's where I also met my wife, proving that sometimes the best partnerships form when you say "yes, and..."At Pega, I lead the intersection of technology and go-to-market strategy across our enterprise AI decisioning and workflow automation platform. My focus is two-fold: translating the power of technology into tangible value for our Fortune 500 clients, while ensuring our technology roadmap reflects the evolving needs of these organizations. I believe that inclusivity is a key ingredient of innovation and am honored to service as Executive Sponsor of the Pride@Pega Employee Resource Group. Don Schuerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donschuerman/ Resources Pega: https://www.pega.com Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world's most influential organizations trust Pega's technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega's scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

Robert Pluska, Managing Director of Advanced Solutions, talks about how manufacturers can move from pilots to full-scale digital transformation and leverage AI to achieve ROI on the factory floor. Robert is all about connecting legacy equipment and turning factory data into action. He leads the development of the company's Dynamic Data Exchange platform. Host, Kevin Craine Do you want to be a guest? https://DigitalTransformationPodast.net/guest Do you want to be a sponsor? https://DigitalTransformationPodcast.net/sponsor

Discover how Amazon measures and improves developer experience at enterprise scale in this interview with Jim Haughwout, VP of Software Builder Experience at Amazon. Drawing from Amazon's retail business expertise, Jim reveals how the "cost to serve" metric transforms developer productivity measurement by focusing on system-level efficiency rather than individual performance. Learn how Amazon balances developer autonomy with standardization, implements tension metrics to prevent gaming, and leverages AI to re-imagine software development workflows. This essential discussion provides practical frameworks for quantifying developer experience improvements and connecting them directly to business value, from deployment automation to AI-assisted development at scale.

Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world's most influential organizations trust Pega's technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega's scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Learn more at Pega.comWhat if the most valuable use of AI in the enterprise is actually the often overlooked yet incredibly costly work of untangling decades of legacy code and process documents? Agility requires the ability to adapt and evolve, but for many enterprises, that ability is trapped inside decades of legacy systems and byzantine processes. What if the same AI that's creating the new could also be the key to understanding and modernizing the old? Today, we're going to talk about moving beyond the hype we're so used to hearing about AI and into the practical, high-impact world of agentic AI. We'll explore how this approach can help large organizations finally tackle their technical debt, not by ripping and replacing, but by understanding and redesigning from the inside out, fostering a new level of collaboration between business and IT along the way. To help me discuss this topic, I'd like to welcome, Don Schuerman, CTO at Pega. About Don Schuerman As CTO and Vice President of Marketing & Technology Strategy at Pegasystems, I see my role as being a "Chief Translation Officer" – bridging the gap between cutting-edge technology and real-world business value. With 25 years of experience in orchestration and AI technology, I'm passionate about translating complex technical concepts into meaningful solutions that drive digital transformation for global organizations.My approach to technology leadership has been shaped by an unexpected source: 20 years of improv comedy at ImprovBoston's Mainstage. The skills I honed there – active listening, storytelling, and thinking on my feet – now help me connect with both technical teams and business leaders. It's where I also met my wife, proving that sometimes the best partnerships form when you say "yes, and..."At Pega, I lead the intersection of technology and go-to-market strategy across our enterprise AI decisioning and workflow automation platform. My focus is two-fold: translating the power of technology into tangible value for our Fortune 500 clients, while ensuring our technology roadmap reflects the evolving needs of these organizations. I believe that inclusivity is a key ingredient of innovation and am honored to service as Executive Sponsor of the Pride@Pega Employee Resource Group. Don Schuerman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donschuerman/ Resources Pega: https://www.pega.com Pega provides the leading AI-powered platform for enterprise transformation. The world's most influential organizations trust Pega's technology to reimagine how work gets done by automating workflows, personalizing customer experiences, and modernizing legacy systems. Since 1983, Pega's scalable, flexible architecture has fueled continuous innovation, helping clients accelerate their path to the autonomous enterprise. Catch the future of e-commerce at eTail Palm Springs, Feb 23-26 in Palm Springs, CA. Go here for more details: https://etailwest.wbresearch.com/ Connect with Greg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstromDon't miss a thing: get the latest episodes, sign up for our newsletter and more: https://www.theagilebrand.showCheck out The Agile Brand Guide website with articles, insights, and Martechipedia, the wiki for marketing technology: https://www.agilebrandguide.com The Agile Brand is produced by Missing Link—a Latina-owned strategy-driven, creatively fueled production co-op. From ideation to creation, they craft human connections through intelligent, engaging and informative content. https://www.missinglink.company

The Transformation Ground Control podcast covers a number of topics important to digital and business transformation. This episode covers the following topics and interviews:   OpenAI's Atlas Browser, Q&A (Darian Chwialkowski, Third Stage Consulting) What's New in the World of Infor CloudSuite? (Soma Somasundaram, CTO, & Kevin Samuelson, CEO from Infor) Long Live ECC   We also cover a number of other relevant topics related to digital and business transformation throughout the show.   During Velocity Day Orlando, Kevin, Soma, and the Infor team shared more details on Infor Industry AI Agents and introduced Infor Leap, a new program that helps customers move to the cloud and land with confidence. Hear all the great insights firsthand, including the perspective of Infor customer, CIO of Victaulic Mario D'Ambrosio, by visiting the Infor Product Digital Event 2025. https://www.infor.com/events/infor-product-digital-event-2025?utm_campaign=27834-026-027&utm_source=linkedin&utm_medium=organic-social&utm_content=thirdstageconsu&utm_type=webinar  

This week on Skip The Queue we explore the science behind ensuring good visitor experiences, by looking at the role data has to play in thisJoining me are two experts in this field, Professor Jim Deegan, economist, tourism policy expert, and founder of the National Centre for Tourism Policy Studies at the University of Limerick, and Ernesto Sánchez- Batista, an expert in destination planning and digital transformation.Together, they have been instrumental in developing a new Tourism Data Dashboard. This has been utilised to transform the visitor experience at The Cliffs of Moher, one of  Ireland's most iconic landmarks.Let's find out how, and what they've achieved.  We have launched our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop' — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.Download your FREE copy here: https://pages.crowdconvert.co.uk/skip-the-queue-playbookSkip the Queue is brought to you by Crowd Convert. We provide attractions with the tools and expertise to create world-class digital interactions. Very simply, we're here to rehumanise commerce. Your host is Paul Marden.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.Show references:  Jim Deegan - PHD Scholar of Cliffs of Moer Projecthttps://www.cliffsofmoher.ie/https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41721501.htmlhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-deegan-94438b2a/Jim Deegan is the Director of the National Centre for Tourism Policy Studies (NCTPS), University of Limerick(UL), a member of the Economics Department( Head of department, 2011-2016) ) and Professor of Tourism Policy. He is an economist by training and his research interests and publications are in all facets of public policy for tourism. Jim is a highly cited author in tourism economics/policy papers and he acts as a referee for all the top rated international journals in tourism and has served on editorial boards of numerous journals that have included the Cornell Quarterly and Tourism Economics. As director of the NCTPS at UL he has raised more than €6 million through project research and philanthropic donations  that has funded research scholarships for more than 25 students to study tourism at postgraduate level. Jim has undertaken project research on behalf of the World Bank, The European Commission, Eurostat, The Irish Government, Failte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, the Marine Institute, the Law Society and many other public and private sector organisations across the world. He was the project lead for the team that delivered Ireland's first Tourism Satellite Account in 2004.Jim has served on numerous public and private sector committees/boards on tourism issues over the last 25 years and was a founding member of the Business Tourism Forum of Failte Ireland  from 2004 and was appointed to the Board of The National Tourism Development Authority( Failte Ireland) by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in 2013. He is currently a board member of the Birr Scientific and Heritage Foundation. Jim was the founding chairman and a shareholder in Treaty Radio Ltd that was sold to UTV PLC for €15.7million in 2002. Ernesto Batista Sánchez - PHD Scholar of Cliffs of Moer Projecthttps://www.ul.ie/business/departments/department-economics/research/national-centre-tourism-policy-studieshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ebats/Ernesto Batista Sánchez is a PhD researcher at the National Centre for Tourism Policy Studies (NCTPS), Kemmy Business School, University of Limerick, Ireland. Prior to this, he worked as an Assistant Professor in Tourism programmes at the University of Holguín, Cuba. He graduated with a first-class honours MA in International Tourism from the University of Limerick in 2020 and holds a PhD from the University of Holguín (2024). His research explores the application of technology and data analysis in tourism. The 2025 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsTake the Rubber Cheese Visitor Attraction Website Survey Report

In this insightful conversation, Hennie Human, Managing Partner of EY's Africa Consulting Business, shares valuable lessons from his 25-year career working across diverse industries. He emphasizes the importance of purpose-driven projects, understanding industry context, and fostering true collaboration with clients to create impactful solutions. Hennie also explores the challenges and opportunities businesses face in 2025, from cybersecurity and the talent gap to the rise of AI, automation, and cloud-native platforms. He explains how EY helps organizations embrace digital transformation, avoid common pitfalls, and unlock real value by keeping people, processes, and technology aligned for the future.

A recent study from Carnegie Mellon University is titled "AI Agents Fail at Office Tasks Nearly 70% of the Time." Federal agencies are adopting Agentic AI for the efficiency it can deliver. Unfortunately, many do not realize that Agentic AI is prone to operational risks, ranging from technical glitches to legal complications to accidental database deletion. When Agentic AI causes problems at a federal agency, there can be lives at stake. Today, we sat down with Travis Rosiek, Rubrik's Public Sector Chief Technology Officer. During the interview, he explores the federal challenges of implementing Agentic AI, building an Agentic AI inventory, and making Agentic AI visible, auditable, and reversible. CHALLENGES Everyone —from a systems administrator to an agency administrator —knows that data must be backed up. However, very few understand that Agentic AI is a collection of agents that can be attacked, just like a database. Rubrik offers the capability to reassure users that Agentic AI can be reversed if malicious actors enter the picture. STARTING POINT Most cybersecurity professionals agree that one starts by understanding a system's apps, data, and connections. Five years ago, it was easy; getting a grasp on what Agentic AI connects to is a much more intangible concept. During the interview, Travis Rosiek unpacks Rubrik's history and its unique ability to understand complex systems. CAREFUL In a rather shocking statement, Rosiek says one should approach introducing technology with the assumption that it will fail. This is not a pessimistic approach, but a nuanced understanding of how complexities in current systems can lead to unintended consequences. Rosiek advises starting with the end goal in mind, planning for worst-case scenarios, and building trustworthy AI architectures to mitigate risks and ensure reliable operations.

Dennis Kozak is the CEO of Ivanti, a leading enterprise IT and security company generating over $1 billion in annual revenue and serving more than 40,000 customers. He previously served as Ivanti's COO after holding senior leadership roles at Avaya. Earlier in his career, Dennis spent nearly 23 years at CA Software (now Broadcom), where he led global partnership sales and services teams. He holds a BS in Accounting from St. Joseph's University in Long Island.In this conversation, we discuss:Dennis's leadership journey from CA Technologies and Avaya to becoming CEO of Ivanti, and what prepared him to lead a billion-dollar IT security companyWhy convergence between cybersecurity and IT operations is accelerating, and how Ivanti is positioning itself at the center of that shiftThe impact of generative AI on IT support, including how Ivanti is building AI agents to handle routine tickets and empower human techniciansHow organizations can reduce cyber risk by closing visibility gaps and simplifying their tech stackThe challenges of securing distributed workforces in a hybrid world, and why automation is critical to stay ahead of threatsWhy Dennis believes the future of enterprise IT is about blending user experience with security, not choosing between themResources:Subscribe to the AI & The Future of Work NewsletterConnect with Dennis on LinkedInAI fun fact articleOn How to Reimagine Fan Experiences and Digital Transformation.

"At RX, we celebrate failure, which is kind of a strange thing to say," said RX CEO Hugh Jones on the November 2025 edition of Trade Show Talk.  Why?   "Failure is actually a part of the executive process and making great choices," he said In this episode, Host Danica Tormohlen delves into this topic and more with Jones, who shares the company's recent growth and strategic bets in the trade show industry.   Jones discusses a broad range of topics, including RX's expansion into Saudi Arabia, digital product development, and the importance of celebrating failures to drive innovation and leadership.   For context: RX, a division of public company RELX and ranked No. 2 on the Stax Top 20 Exhibition Organizers List (by revenues), produced 282 face-to-face events in 25 countries in 2024, and these events served 41 industry sectors and attracted more than 6 million participants, according to its 2024 Annual Report. Some of RX's flagship events include New York ComicCon, JCK, ISC West, and FIBO Global Fitness. In its most recent earnings report in August, RX saw 8% growth year over year for the first half of 2025.  The episode also features interviews with Legends Global GM Rodney Falk on the Cincinnati convention center's reopening in January 2026 and Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance Executive VP Tommy Goodwin on the U.S. government shutdown's impact on the industry.  00:00 Introduction to Trade Show Talk  00:34 Meet Hugh Jones, CEO of RX  01:22 Sponsorship Message from Legends Global  02:08 Hugh Jones' Background and Philosophy  04:17 Interview with Hugh Jones Begins  04:24 The Importance of Taking Risks  07:16 RX's Expansion and Acquisitions  08:36 Digital Transformation at RX  11:39 Innovative Approaches in Trade Shows  15:16 Navigating the Pandemic and Strategic Changes  20:25 Value-Based Selling and Customer Focus  29:08 Advocacy, Sustainability, and Talent in the Trade Show Industry  37:40 The Importance of Standardization in Events  40:30 Digital Innovation and Future Trends  44:42 Real-Time Matchmaking and Industry Trends  46:08 AI in Trade Shows: Strategy and Implementation  49:41 Personal Insights: Monday Morning Routine  52:24 Upcoming Events and Travel Plans  54:35 Hobbies and Family Life  55:55 Worst Business Advice Ever Received  58:25 Cincinnati Convention Center Update  01:14:27 Advocacy Update with Tommy Goodwin  01:22:03 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes    This episode is brought to you by Legends Global.   Legends Global is the premier partner to the world's greatest live events, venues, and brands. Legends Global delivers a fully integrated suite of premium services—from feasibility and consulting to venue management, sales, merchandise, hospitality, partnerships, content and booking. The company's white-label approach keeps partners front and center while leveraging the power of their global network with more than 450 venues, 20,000 events, and 165 million guests annually. Learn more at LegendsGlobal.com.     Guest bio: Hugh Jones   Chief Executive Officer   Every executive has to place bets in order for the value propositions to remain relevant to the customers, but not every bet has to work. Hugh believes that executives learn by both our successes and our failures. That philosophy has served Hugh well over the years since joining RELX in 2011, following the purchase of Accuity where he was Chief Executive Officer. In addition to leading Accuity to become one of the world's largest and most significant companies in the payment routing and Anti Money Laundering sectors, Hugh has also led Fircosoft, NRS, I.C.I.S, Estates Gazette (EG) and Cirium; and before joining RX he was Global Managing Director within the Risk and Business Analytics Division.   Hugh's philosophy has seen him lead large scale acquisitions and subsequent integrations of many companies that now reside and prosper within the RELX portfolio. Hugh joined RX as CEO at the start of 2020, bringing with him plenty of experience in public company protocol and all facets of business management including P&L oversight, talent development, forecasting, sales execution, technology innovation and product discovery, launch and growth.   Hugh's experience has been invaluable in navigating RX's response to challenges and his strategic understanding of technological innovation has accelerated the use of digital and data products and services across RX events, as an ongoing core component of RX face to face events. Passionate about building a culture of collaboration, exploring, risk taking, accountability and courage, Hugh champions the creation of a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace for all.  versed in public company protocol and all facets of firm management including P&L oversight, talent development, forecasting, sales, technology and product innovation, discovery, launch and growth.   A mélange of exceptional investment and overall management qualifications, combined with superior analytical leadership. Accustomed to and effective in high-profile executive roles, making high-stakes investment decisions with world-class clients and customers. Versed in leading investor forums at a publicly traded firm, commercializing data streams, contributing forward-thinking vision and overcoming complex business obstacles.   More than two decades of experience building corporate value by creating rich data streams that provide new solutions to difficult corporate challenges. Successful at developing and coaching top executive teams, leading sales efforts, and negotiating complicated corporate and functional business deals with financial institutions, corporations and governmental agencies.  • Member of the Young President's Organization (YPO) since 2009 • Served on numerous Boards for the benefit of Private Equity firms • Winner of the 2013 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Financial Services for the Midwest Region • Holds a BA in economics from Yale University cum laude and an MBA from the University of Michigan  Guest bio: Tommy Goodwin is Executive Vice President for the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA), the advocacy association for the business events industry. In this role, he leads ECA's work on behalf of the interconnected ecosystem of exhibitors, event and meeting organizers, suppliers, venues, and destinations that comprise the global business events landscape.     Prior to joining ECA, Tommy spent more than 20 years leading social impact, member value, public affairs, and international engagement efforts for several globally recognized associations and corporations, including Oracle, AARP, and the Project Management Institute (PMI). Additionally, he was a research fellow at Harvard Business School focused on the international political and legal environment in which businesses and social enterprises operate.     Tommy has a B.B.A. from The George Washington University, an M.B.A. from Auburn University, and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Union Law from King's College London. He also holds several certifications including a Project Management Professional from PMI, a Certified Meeting Planner from the Events Industry Council, and a Certified Association Executive from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).     Recognized by The Hill in its list of association "Top Lobbyists" every year since 2020, Tommy was also named a "Leading Association Lobbyist" by CEO Update/Association TRENDS in 2023. He has also been elected as a Fellow by ASAE (2022), named an "Association Innovation Leader" by DCA Live (2022), received the "Industry Support Award" from Trade Show News Network (2022), and recognized as an events industry "Changemaker" by MeetingsNet (2022).     Tommy currently serves on the advisory boards of Factum Global and The Iceberg. He is also a past president of the National Institute of Lobbying & Ethics and a past chair of ASAE's Executive Management Professionals Advisory Council and Advocacy Council.    Host bio: Danica Tormohlen    Meet Danica Tormohlen, a dynamic force in the trade world who's been telling compelling stories for more than 30 years. As VP of Group Content at Informa, she's the mastermind behind Trade Show News Network, bringing the pulse of the industry to life. When she's not crafting engaging content, you'll find her behind the microphone hosting the Trade Show Talk podcast, where she chats with industry movers and shakers.    A proud Mizzou Journalism School grad (go Tigers!), Danica has left her mark across the events industry landscape, from SISO to Trade Show Executive. Her trophy shelf sparkles with journalism awards, but what really gets her excited is breaking new ground for women in the industry. As a founding member and current president of the Women in Exhibitions Network North America, she's passionate about lifting others up while climbing the ladder herself.    When she's not reporting on trade shows and events, you'll spot Danica pounding the pavement as an enthusiastic runner or rolling up her sleeves with the National Charity League, proving that giving back is always in style. Her secret sauce? A perfect blend of journalistic integrity, industry insight, and boundless energy.     Catch Danica's latest thoughts on LinkedIn and X, where she's always sharing industry insights with a personal twist.   

We all know AI is a challenge that most of us look at with fear and trepidation. Mike Wright, co-writer of The 14 Behaviors Driving Successful Digital Transformation in the Age of Gen AI, joins Emmet Oliver to look at some behaviors that might help us succeed.

Marine Corps Forces Pacific is standing up a Digital Transformation Team (DXT) as part of the Marine Corps' AI Implementation Plan's Digital Transformation Pilot. C5ISRT Systems Integration Officer and Agentic Warfare Lead Capt. Mason Millsap joined us at AFCEA TechNet Indo-Pacific to explain how the pilot helps personnel digitize processes, expand secure data pipelines and accelerate AI adoption for real-world operations. He discussed how DXT is advancing the service's Digital Transformation Pilot and optimizing digital data flows across tactical and operational systems to strengthen command and control, improve interoperability and enhance decision-making across the Indo-Pacific region. He also highlighted how the service is integrating emerging technologies from the research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) enterprise to maximize the value of prototypes and demonstrations while preparing for the rise of agentic and autonomous systems.

In this episode, Vinay Kulkarni, Chief Information Officer at SCAN Group, discusses how AI, automation, and digital tools are transforming Medicare Advantage. He explains how these technologies improve care coordination, reduce administrative burden, and personalize care for seniors while maintaining high-quality, empathetic member experiences.

The Transformation Ground Control podcast covers a number of topics important to digital and business transformation. This episode covers the following topics and interviews:   The State of Digital Transformation in Europe, Q&A (Darian Chwialkowski, Third Stage Consulting) Big Blunders in the Tech Space (Stuart Robb, Third Stage Consulting) How to Spot Trouble Before Your Digital Transformation Fails   We also cover a number of other relevant topics related to digital and business transformation throughout the show.  

Peggy looks at the global trends impacting the transportation and logistics sector, sharing how technologies are evolving to meet growing demands. She says digital transformation, decarbonization, and other emerging technologies are going to need to fuel the new demands required. She also discusses: · How much will be required to fuel this infrastructure vertical through 2040. · The top factors at play that must be considered in transportation. · The steps to take to embrace innovation in the days ahead.   https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Have you ever wondered how some leaders seem to rise effortlessly always prepared, composed, and ready for what's next?Listen in as Shontra Powell, Senior Executive at Hubbell Incorporated and Founder and Host of Proven Not Perfect™ Podcast, talks with Host Natalie Benamou and shares how intention, preparation, and authenticity can transform your career trajectory.From her start in finance to global leadership roles at GE and Hubbell, Shontra reveals the mindset that helped her build credibility and open doors throughout her journey. Her philosophy is simple yet powerful:“Know the job, make the main thing the main thing, and the rest will build an incredible reputation and open doors you didn't even know you wanted to knock on.” — Shontra PowellThis episode is filled with wisdom for women navigating leadership transitions, preparing for board service, or simply ready to show up at a higher level every day.3 Lessons from Shontra Powell1. Show up ready, always. Preparation builds credibility and trust. Over-delivering means you're dependable, consistent, and grounded in purpose.2. Your career path doesn't have to be straight. Every pivot adds perspective and resilience. Growth happens in the moments between certainty and change.3. Clarity creates opportunity. When you know your “why” and articulate your impact, the right doors open—often faster than you expect.Learn how showing up prepared and staying grounded in purpose can elevate your presence, strengthen your influence, and create lasting impact.Thank you Shontra for being our featured speaker. Special gratitude to Kellogg Women@EMBA where Shontra and Natalie met through a program where she and Naomi Kent were featured speakers.You are invited to join us on November 7th: How Secure is Your AI? 12 PM CT/ 1 PM ETThis show is sponsored by NEXT2LEAD AI Powered by HerCsuite®.Thank you for listening to the show! It would be incredible if you would Rate and Review it on Apple Podcasts.Keep shining your light bright. The world needs you.Connect with Shontra Powell:Shontra Powell is a proven corporate executive, leading global organizations through transformations, growth and high risk environments, Y2k, 2008 Financial Crisis, Digital Transformation, and Global Pandemic. Called upon as an effective people leader, Shontra has mentored many. She now expands her impact sharing meaningful podcast conversations with an audience of women driven for success, who enjoy talking about business, leadership, network, self-care, and spirituality.Proven Not Perfect™ The Portfolio Career with Shontra Powell and Natalie Benamou LinkedIn: Shontra Powell Podcast: Proven Not Perfect™Connect with Natalie BenamouNatalie Benamou is Founder of HerCsuite®, a professional women's network and portfolio career company. HerCsuite® focuses on supporting women discovering what's NEXT in the second half of their careers. Signature programs include board readiness, women entrepreneurs and portfolio careers all leveraging AI. She also serves as President and CEO of HER HEALTHX, a nonprofit bridging the care communication gap and improving health outcomes for women.

BONUS - The Retail Razor: Data Blades Season 2 TrailerData Blades Returns: AI, CX, and Retail Media for Executive Leaders Welcome to a special cross-release of the Season 2 trailer for The Retail Razor: Data Blades—the podcast that slices through complex retail research to deliver sharp, actionable insights and retail strategies for executive leaders in the AI era.  In Season 1, we cut through the clutter with data-backed insights to identify strategies for:Inflation's uneven impact across age groups—where seniors felt the pinch more than younger shoppers.Shifting shopping habits—like 74% of consumers using lists to control spending.The power of values in loyalty—with 77% of consumers saying brand values matter more than discounts.Self-checkout and employee experience—where well-informed store teams drove a 27% increase in average spend. Now in Season 2, we're going deeper. Hosts Ricardo Belmar, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert & NRF 2025 Retail Voice, and Casey Golden, RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert, preview what's ahead:Exclusive insights from TruRating and top retail analysts to hone your data-driven retail strategies.A focus on three pillars: Customer Experience, Retail Media, and Employee Experience.How AI is reshaping retail strategy—from predictive personalization to AI-powered workforce tools.Revisiting themes of trust, transparency, and loyalty with fresh data and new perspectives. If you're a VP, CMO, COO, or CEO in retail looking to make smarter, data-driven decisions for AI-first retail strategies, this is your podcast. Subscribe now in your favorite podcast player and stay ahead of the curve with insights that drive conversion, loyalty, and operational excellence.New episodes drop starting tomorrow!

In this episode of Marketing News Canada, content strategist and guest host, Maddie Alvarez sits down with Geoffrey Blanc, General Manager at Cyberimpact, live from SocialNext Toronto 2025. With over 18 years of experience in digital transformation and email marketing, Jeff shares his expert insights on what makes email still one of the most powerful — and misunderstood — tools in a marketer's toolkit.From personalization and automation to privacy laws and deliverability, Geoffrey breaks down the essentials for building an effective, compliant, and high-performing email strategy. He offers practical advice for keeping lists clean, respecting consent, and creating campaigns that truly connect with audiences.Whether you're refining your CRM strategy or struggling to cut through crowded inboxes, this episode delivers actionable tips on personalization, automation, compliance, and creative best practices, all rooted in Geoffrey's experience helping Canadian businesses grow through smarter marketing.

In this episode, we sit down with Lawrence Fong, Director of Digital and IT at Cathay, as he reveals how one of Asia's premier airlines is leveraging AI and machine learning to transform every aspect of their operations. Drawing from his 30+ years of experience at Cathay Pacific, Lawrence shares practical insights on building customer-centric digital transformation, fostering innovation culture, and managing change in the volatile aviation industry. Together with AWS Enterprise Strategist Xia Zhang, Lawrence discusses how leaders in highly regulated industries can embrace digital culture, build agile teams, and create innovation frameworks that drive measurable business outcomes while maintaining premium service standards.

In this episode of the Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, host Steve Kuper is joined by Mark Gainsford and Matt Dodds of Systematic to discuss the digital transformation shaping the Australian Defence Force. The trio also examine how, in an era of renewed great power competition, the ADF must adapt to warfare defined by data, speed and contested information environments. They highlight that the pace of technological and operational change demands tools to cut through "information noise" and deliver decision superiority. Artificial intelligence and analytics can help achieve this, but only when paired with strong training and trust. Moving on, they discuss the importance of testing and refining AI through realistic digital simulations, enabling adaptation to changing conditions without the cost or risk of live training. They also talk about the role of digital infrastructure in preparing warfighters for degraded and contested communications environments, where jamming and disruption are common. Investing in resilient, upgradeable systems ensures the ADF maintains operational tempo and confidence in complex conditions. Finally, they discuss investing in sovereign digital infrastructure, trusted AI and realistic simulation today so the ADF can build the integrated, information-led force needed to out-think and outfight its adversaries – mastering in training what must never be learned in combat. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

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While the year-over-year figure reflects broader market volatility, Matthew Babcock, who oversees digital lending product strategy for Wolters Kluwer, explained the strong quarter-over-quarter increase of the Q3 Wolters Kluwer Auto Finance Digital Transformation Index signals market re-engagement. Babcock elaborated about these points and more during an episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast.

BONUS - The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness Season 2 TrailerRetail Executive Leadership & Coaching Insights for the AI EraWelcome to a special cross-release of the Season 2 trailer for The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness — the podcast where retail leaders sharpen their edge. Hosted by Ricardo Belmar & Casey Golden, this series explores the essential skills & qualities every retail executive needs to lead boldly, stay sharp, & stay human in the AI era.In Season 1, we uncovered the fundamentals of great leadership:how intrinsic motivation and autonomy unlock innovationwhy positivity is fuel, not fluffrethinking hiring, career development, & investing in peopleSeason 2 takes it further with new retail executives & coaching experts—to share actionable insights on:Building resilient & adaptable leadership culturesLeading through disruption & transformation in the AI eraPractical coaching strategies for executives & C-suite leadersIf you're a retail leader, this season will help you sharpen your leadership blade & lead with clarity. Subscribe to The Retail Razor: Blade to Greatness show in your favorite podcast player!New episodes drop starting tomorrow!

Send us a textIn this Episode of Exchanges with Hitachi Solutions, Alex Rigaud, VP of Incubation Solutions at Hitachi Solutions joins Jay Natarajan as they draw upon decades of experience at the intersection of cloud, AI, and digital transformation to discuss how organizations can avoid past mistakes and maximize the business value of AI adoption. Their conversation explores practical strategies for building momentum, driving user adoption, and ensuring that technology investments deliver real returns across the enterprise.Key Topics Covered:The importance of focusing on business problems and process optimization before implementing technology Strategies for building momentum with small, scalable AI use cases and a “Lego block” approach Common challenges in scaling AI solutions, including user adoption, integration, and data quality Measuring ROI for AI projects and ensuring cross-functional collaboration Avoiding “pilot paralysis” and moving from proof-of-concept to enterprise scale global.hitachi-solutions.com

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, host Dane Carlson shares his talk from the Utility Economic Development Association's 2025 Fall Forum in Traverse City, Michigan. He explains how artificial intelligence is transforming economic development from a guessing game into a data-driven discipline. Drawing from his work with Sitehunt, Dane reveals how utilities can turn raw infrastructure data like power, water, sewer, and fiber into actionable intelligence that accelerates projects, shortens RFI responses, and drives smarter investment decisions. He challenges listeners to stop optimizing for Google and start optimizing for AI, showing how even small steps like making one dataset machine readable can reshape how regions grow and compete. Like this show? Please leave us a review here (https://econdevshow.com/rate-this-podcast/) — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Make one dataset machine readable, even if it is internal. It is the first step toward AI readiness. Think of AI as infrastructure, not a chatbot. Build systems that work continuously, not conversations. Use APIs to connect your data, automate workflows, and ensure consistency. Chain models together to combine reasoning, data retrieval, and structured writing capabilities. Capture tribal knowledge by converting what only a few people know into structured, shareable data. Automate RFI responses by integrating structured site data with AI models for instant scoring. Start vibe coding by describing outcomes and intent instead of writing brittle, rigid logic. Stop optimizing for Google. Design your data for AI systems that synthesize and act. Run small experiments monthly to test new models and internal automations. Advocate inside your organization. Utilities are the backbone of AI enabled economic development.

In this inspiring episode of TBCY, host Stephen Ibaraki sits down with Vijay Karia, co-founder and CEO of OptiCloud, award-winning AI and climate tech entrepreneur, and passionate advocate for Indigenous rights. Vijay shares his remarkable life story—from his multicultural upbringing and early exposure to global inequities, to his professional tennis career, and his pioneering journey in technology, private equity, and cloud sustainability.Learn how Vijay's unique background shaped his mission to combat digital waste and drive sustainable transformation through AI. Discover how OptiCloud is revolutionizing cloud management by eliminating invisible digital waste, slashing energy consumption, and reinvesting in vulnerable communities and rainforests. Vijay also shares actionable advice for businesses to optimize their cloud usage for both profit and planet, insights from working with tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google, and an exclusive look at upcoming international climate events.

In this insightful episode of The Voice of Retail podcast, host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Malin Andrée, EY Global, EMEIA and Nordics Retail Leader, and Jon Copestake, EY Global Consumer Senior Analyst, to unpack the latest findings from EY's Future Consumer Index—a global study tracking the shifting habits and expectations of 20,000 consumers across 27 countries.Now in its fifteenth edition, the Future Consumer Index offers a rare longitudinal lens on how consumer priorities have evolved—from pandemic-era resilience to today's tech-driven retail reality. Malin and Jon share how shoppers are balancing convenience, price, sustainability, and experience—and how these trade-offs are forcing retailers to rethink strategy from the store floor to the C-suite.The conversation dives deep into store transformation, as physical retail evolves from simple sales outlets into experience centers, media platforms, and fulfillment hubs. Malin explains how retailers must move beyond old performance metrics like revenue per square meter to measure stores' contribution to customer lifetime value and acquisition within a true omnichannel ecosystem.Jon highlights the fast-emerging world of retail media—and why harnessing loyalty data, in-store analytics, and smart signage can unlock new value streams. Yet he cautions that personalization must serve the shopper, not overwhelm them. The pair also tackle the ongoing tension between sustainability and affordability: consumers say they care, but behavior still lags. Retailers, they argue, have both the scale and responsibility to lead the charge toward circular models and more efficient supply chains.From AI-powered personalization to augmented reality overlays, Malin and Jon identify which technologies are overhyped and which are quietly transformational. They discuss why RFID may be due for a renaissance when paired with AI, how AR could soon enhance way-finding, pricing, and promotions, and why the metaverse hype has given way to practical, data-driven retail innovation. Link to the report: https://www.ey.com/en_gl/insights/retail/should-retailers-close-stores-or-make-them-work-harder The Voice of Retail podcast is presented by Hale, a performance marketing partner trusted by brands like ASICS, Saje, and Orangetheory to scale with focus and impact. Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and now, media entrepreneur. He has been on the front lines of retail industry change for his entire career. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions and participated worldwide in thought leadership panels, most recently on the main stage in Toronto at Retail Council of Canada's Retail Marketing conference with leaders from Walmart & Google. He brings 25+ years of brand/retail/marketing & eCommerce leadership experience with Levi's, Black & Decker, Hudson's Bay, CanWest Media, Pandora Jewellery, The Shopping Channel and Retail Council of Canada to his advisory, speaking and media practice.Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.Rethink Retail has recognized Michael as one of the top global retail experts for the fifth year in a row, the National Retail Federation has designated Michael as on their Top Retail Voices for 2025, Thinkers 360 has named him on of the Top 50 global thought leaders in retail, RTIH has named him a top 100 global though leader in retail technology and Coresight Research has named Michael a Retail AI Influencer. If you are a BBQ fan, you can tune into Michael's cooking show, Last Request BBQ, on YouTube, Instagram, X and yes, TikTok.Michael is available for keynote presentations helping retailers, brands and retail industry insiders explaining the current state and future of the retail industry in North America and around the world.

What does modern Enterprise Architecture really look like in an era of digital transformation? In this episode, Aaron Busch, Enterprise Architect at Prescriptive Data Solutions and veteran of nearly 30 years in, shares his blueprint for transforming data centers and cloud environments while keeping business strategy front and center.We cover how to define your target state, balance what you need versus what you should do, and use Enterprise Architecture to connect vision to execution. Aaron unpacks how agility, automation, and clarity drive success across hybrid environments and how CIOs can measure transformation through real business outcomes.

Can You Really Spot a Great Company Before Everyone Else Does? In this episode of REady2Scale, Jeannette Friedrich sits down with Lee McCabe, Partner at Claymore Partners and former executive at Meta, Alibaba, and Expedia. With deep experience in both technology and private equity, Lee shares how to uncover high-potential companies, particularly those hiding in “boring” sectors, by focusing on digital transformation, data-driven operations, and overlooked growth levers. Whether you're an investor, operator, or advisor, you'll gain practical insights into how leading firms are building value not just through financial engineering but through smarter marketing, better tech stacks, and operational efficiency. Key Takeaways: - Why old-school industries hold untapped value:Digitally underserved sectors like B2B and consumer services are ripe for disruption and value creation. - The power of a functional tech stack: Many businesses lack proper data infrastructure. Building a connected, insight-driven stack is step one to scaling sustainably. - What digital value creation really looks like:Private equity must shift from passive ownership to active operational involvement, especially in marketing and data analytics. - Lead generation is the real business: CEOs in services should view themselves as running lead generation engines. Conversion begins with optimised websites and media spend tracked to ROI. - AI hype versus reality: AI is not yet the silver bullet for most companies. Without basic data systems in place, AI becomes a distraction rather than a solution. - How to avoid data overload: Focus on the 10 to 15 KPIs that truly drive performance instead of drowning in dashboards and vanity metrics. - The real role of marketing agencies: Good agencies tie marketing spend directly to revenue and profitability instead of reporting on clicks and impressions. - Advising today's private equity investors: Future-leading firms will use defined operational playbooks focused on digital execution from day one rather than relying on traditional financial levers. - The compound effect of small steps: Lee shares his philosophy for building an extraordinary life: take consistent action every day, even when the direction is unclear. Recommended Resources: Book: The Predator's Ball by Connie Bruck Podcast: Pivot and All-In Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:46 Lee McCabe's Career Journey 03:07 Identifying Winning Companies 05:32 Digital Transformation in Business 09:27 The Impact of AI on Marketing 23:28 Lightning Round and Conclusion Connect with Lee McCabe: Find him on LinkedIn Are you REady2Scale Your Multifamily Investments? Learn more about growing your wealth, strengthening your portfolio, and scaling to the next level at www.bluelake-capital.com. Credits Producer: Blue Lake Capital Strategist: Syed Mahmood Editor: Emma Walker Opening music: Pomplamoose *

The Transformation Ground Control podcast covers a number of topics important to digital and business transformation. This episode covers the following topics and interviews:   A MedTech Firm Warns of Their Impact from Their Software Switch, Q&A (Darian Chwialkowski, Third Stage Consulting) What do the EU's Antitrust Allegations against SAP Really Mean? (Scott Hays – Vice President at Rimini Street, Marcus Harris – Partner at Taft Law) The #1 Software Proposal Mistake That's Costing Companies Millions   We also cover a number of other relevant topics related to digital and business transformation throughout the show.  

How can B2B organizations turn digital transformation from concept into measurable results? In this episode, guest host Brendan Cameron is joined by Sarah Falcon, SVP of Global Marketing for B2B eCommerce Association. They break down strategies for aligning ecommerce, marketing, and operations to leveraging AI, and connecting with industry communities to drive growth and measurable business results in today's digital landscape. Shoptoberfest Insights for B2B Ecommerce Growth Blog This podcast is brought to you by Americaneagle.com Studios. Follow this podcast wherever you listen to them! Connect with: Lessons for Tomorrow: Website // Twitter // Instagram // Facebook // YouTube Tim Ahlenius: LinkedIn // Twitter Brendan Cameron: LinkedIn Sarah Falcon: LinkedIn Resources: B2B eCommerce Association's Website

Peggy Smedley and Dan Miklovic, founder, Lean Manufacturing Research and leader, Third Eye Advisory, talk about the real cost behind not investing in reskilling and if a talent gap is on the horizon already. He says it depends on how you define it because there are going to be skills by 2030 that we don't even know we need yet. They also discuss: · Where the biggest risk lies. · One of the prime reasons workers leave companies. · Where the real skill lies today—and how durable skills come into play. https://thirdeyeadvisory.com/

Peggy zooms in on one of the seven critical infrastructure verticals: energy and power, which is projected to require a staggering $23 trillion in investment through 2040. She unpacks the global trends shaping the sector—from the rise of renewables to digital transformation—and explores how we must rethink infrastructure to meet rising expectations. She also discusses: · Why energy demand is rising and how renewable energy and low-carbon sources will come into play. · The emerging role of small modular reactors and what countries are already taking action. · The need for grid resilience—and how digital twins, edge, and AI (artificial intelligence) can help. http://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy Smedley and Anil Sawhney, head of sustainability, RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), and Kay Pitman, sustainability analyst, RICS, talk about the highlights from a new AI (artificial intelligence) and construction report 2025, current rates of adoption, blockers to adoption, and the outlook. He says the report was an outcome from conversations and a survey from members who are at the forefront of technology. Pitman says the technology is rapidly evolving, and AI has the potential to reshape the industry. They also discuss: · How many construction respondents reported no use of AI. · The widening gap between investment ambition and organizational readiness. · Two levels we need to think about when we think about AI. http://www.rics.org

Paul Marden and Andy Povey head to the VAC 2025 Conference at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster, London, to explore the evolving world of attraction retail and e-commerce.With special participation from Skip the Queue's founding host, Kelly Molson, the conversation delves into practical steps for creating seamless, authentic and profitable online experiences.Joining him are industry experts Stephen Spencer, Director of Stephen Spencer and Associates, and Simon Jones, Managing Director of Navigate Agency, to discuss how attractions can create e-commerce gift shops that truly enhance the visitor experience.They discuss the Visitor Attraction Playbook and explore how storytelling, sustainability and smart integration can transform your retail offer from an afterthought into a powerful brand extension.This episode also marks the launch of our brand-new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide to Going Beyond the Gift Shop' — your go-to resource for building a successful e-commerce strategy that connects with your audience and drives sustainable growth.Download your FREE copy here: https://pages.crowdconvert.co.uk/skip-the-queue-playbook Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your hosts are Paul Marden and Andy Povey.If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn. Show references:  Stephen Spencer, Ambience Director of Stephen Spencer and Associateshttps://www.stephenspencerassociates.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/customerexperiencespecialist/Simon Jones, Managing Director of Navigate Agencyhttps://www.navigate.agency/https://www.linkedin.com/in/simontjones/Kelly Molson, Skip the Queue's founding host, Agency Advisor, Kelly Molson Consultinghttps://www.kellymolson.co.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellymolson/ The 2025 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! Dive into groundbreaking benchmarks for the industryGain a better understanding of how to achieve the highest conversion ratesExplore the "why" behind visitor attraction site performanceLearn the impact of website optimisation and visitor engagement on conversion ratesUncover key steps to enhance user experience for greater conversionsTake the Rubber Cheese Visitor Attraction Website Survey Report

S5E10 From Task Overload to Customer Focus: AI Solutions for Retail AssociatesRetailers are asking store associates to do more with less—shorter staffing, longer task lists, and higher customer expectations. In this episode of The Retail Razor Show, hosts Ricardo Belmar and Casey Golden explore how AI is reshaping frontline retail teams from overwhelmed to empowered.Joining the conversation are:•  Jeff Strasser, General Manager of AI Business Solutions for Retail & Consumer Goods at Microsoft•  Nolan Wheeler, CEO & Founder of SYNQ TechnologiesTogether, they dive into:•  The biggest challenges facing frontline store associates today: task overload, reduced staffing, and customer service trade-offs•  How AI can automate and simplify corporate task lists, freeing up time for customer engagement•  Why voice-first, hands-free AI is a breakthrough for associates, with SYNQ's solution connecting two-way radios to Azure OpenAI for instant answers in the aisle•  The importance of integration and governance when deploying AI at scale in retail operations•  Real-world examples of AI reducing friction, improving training, and accelerating onboarding•  How to measure success with the right KPIs: time-to-answer, customer satisfaction, and associate productivity•  What's next for AI in retail over the next 24 months—and how retailers can prepare their teams todayThis isn't about replacing people—it's about augmenting store teams with AI-powered tools that make their jobs easier, improve morale, and elevate the customer experience.If you're a retail leader, innovator, or operator, this episode is packed with insights on how to start small, scale fast, and empower your frontline workforce with AI.Subscribe to the Retail Razor Podcast Network: https://retailrazor.com/Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://retailrazor.substack.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/RRShowYouTubeAbout our GuestsNolan Wheeler – CEO & Founder, SYNQ TechnologiesNolan Wheeler founded SYNQ in 2015 after a successful multi-decade career in retail. With experience in asset protection, store operations, and store transformation, Nolan founded SYNQ with a vision for transforming how retailers think about operations and merchandizing. Nolan lives in Victoria, BC with his young family, spending as much of his time on the water as possible.Retail Clinic on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@RetailClinicSYNQ Technologies - www.synqtech.comJeff Strasser – GM, AI Business Solutions for Retail & Consumer Goods, Microsoft.Jeff oversees Microsoft's AI Business Solutions portfolio for the US Retail & Consumer Goods enterprise customer segment. Jeffrey's organization supports clients' business priorities to grow revenue, optimize costs and deliver customer and employee satisfaction through AI led solutions. Recently, Jeffrey has been leading discussions on the application of generative AI to improve the efficiency of work and operations, accelerate decision-making, and support client leadership with strategies to build an AI first culture and deliver on business impacting solutions.Microsoft Cloud for Retail - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/industry/retail/microsoft-cloud-for-retailChapters:00:00 Previews 00:54 Show Intro 04:27 Welcome Jeff Strasser & Nolan Wheeler 07:29 Challenges Faced by Frontline Store Teams 14:14 AI Solutions for Retail Operations 19:59 Voice AI and Real-World Applications 25:34 Data-Driven Retail Insights 30:55 The Power of Voice Agents in Retail 32:05 Integrating IoT and Voice for Seamless Operations 34:22 Building Effective AI Agents 38:21 Starting with AI: Metrics and ROI 41:18 Overcoming Barriers to AI Adoption 47:24 Future Capabilities and Getting Started 54:01 Show CloseMeet your hosts, helping you cut through the clutter in retail & retail tech:Ricardo Belmar is an NRF Top Retail Voices for 2025 & a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2021 – 2025. Thinkers 360 has named him a Top 10 Retail, & AGI Thought Leader, a Top 50 Management, Transformation, & Careers Thought Leader, a Top 100 Digital Transformation & Agentic AI Thought Leader, plus a Top Digital Voice for 2024 and 2025. He is an advisory council member at George Mason University's Center for Retail Transformation, and the Retail Cloud Alliance. He was most recently the director partner marketing for retail & consumer goods in the Americas at Microsoft.Casey Golden, is CEO of Luxlock, a RETHINK Retail Top Retail Expert from 2023 - 2025, and a Retail Cloud Allianceadvisory council member. Obsessed with the customer relationship between the brand and the consumer. After a career on the fashion and supply chain technology side of the business, now slaying franken-stacks and building retail tech! Currently, Casey is the North America Leader for Retail & Consumer Goods at CI&T.Includes music provided by imunobeats.com, featuring Overclocked, and E-Motive from the album Beat Hype, written by Heston Mimms, published by Imuno.

AI has stopped being a side project – it's rewriting the rules of how professional services businesses operate – and – stay competitive.Luke Alexander, Chief Digital & AI Officer at Four, has led an ambitious AI transformation in his business. From rolling out Microsoft Copilot across 300+ staff to launching client-facing AI services, Luke's approach to embedding AI is bold, practical, and refreshingly human.In this episode, Luke and Harv unpack what it really takes to move from AI experiments to AI integration – and the leadership, structure, and mindset that make it work.Here's what we dive into:• How Four operationalized AI across teams (and why fluency beats training)• The three categories of AI value – assistive, automated, and transformative• Why senior leadership buy-in is the single biggest success factor• How to overcome the “AI shame” still holding some teams back• The impact of AI on agency structures, staffing, and the future of junior rolesIf you're still just experimenting with AI – but haven't figured out how to truly embed it into the way you operate, this episode shows what that next stage looks like in practice — and what it demands from leadership.Additional Resources:

Navigating Digital Transformation in Construction: Expert Insights from Huw Roberts, CEO of PMWEBThe construction industry is evolving at a critical pace—balancing traditional processes with the rise of AI, automation, and digital transformation. In this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, host Josh Elledge sits down with Huw Roberts, CEO of PMWEB, to discuss how construction firms can modernize operations, improve efficiency, and adopt outcome-driven technology strategies. Huw shares actionable insights for leaders navigating uncertainty, highlighting the need for clear goals, practical innovation, and consistent learning to build resilient, future-ready organizations.The Digital Shift in ConstructionThe construction industry is one of the largest in the world but also among the slowest to digitize. Huw Roberts explains that while many sectors have embraced automation and AI, much of construction still depends on manual workflows, spreadsheets, and outdated systems. This creates inefficiencies that technology can help solve—if applied with purpose.Huw stresses that digital transformation isn't about adopting the latest tool; it's about aligning technology with specific outcomes. Whether the goal is faster project delivery, better collaboration, or improved forecasting, success starts with defining measurable results and working backward from there. Companies should begin with small pilot projects, gather feedback, and scale successful initiatives across the organization.Ultimately, balancing innovation with caution is essential. Large enterprises can absorb the risks of experimentation, while small and mid-sized businesses must focus on clear returns. By adopting an outcome-focused mindset and continuously learning from both wins and failures, construction firms can achieve meaningful transformation without sacrificing stability.About Huw RobertsHuw Roberts is the CEO of PMWEB, where he leads a global team dedicated to transforming how organizations plan, manage, and deliver construction and real estate projects. With a background in architecture and decades of experience in technology leadership, Huw bridges design, innovation, and business strategy to help clients improve performance and embrace the digital future of project management.About PMWEBPMWEB is a leading enterprise software platform that streamlines construction and real estate portfolio management. Designed for performance and transparency, PMWEB equips organizations with the tools to manage costs, schedules, and outcomes through data-driven decision-making. The company's integrated approach enables project teams to operate more efficiently and deliver measurable business results.Links Mentioned in This EpisodeHuw Roberts LinkedInPMWEB WebsiteKey Episode HighlightsThe construction industry remains one of the least digitized but most opportunity-rich sectors.AI and automation are transforming project management efficiency.Outcome-focused decision-making ensures measurable and sustainable innovation.Pilot programs help companies minimize risk while adopting new technology.PMWEB empowers organizations to modernize processes and maximize ROI.ConclusionHuw Roberts' insights reveal that digital transformation in construction isn't just about technology—it's about clarity, adaptability, and purpose. By focusing on measurable outcomes, leveraging AI strategically, and empowering teams with the right tools, leaders can drive lasting...

Here's a jaunty debrief from PopTech, a notoriously hard conference to describe, that always features obscenely talented entrepreneurs and changemakers.In this episode, Kwaku Aning, Sarah Rose Siskind, and I share some of the great stories and great vibes from this year's conference, including:FetusGPT, Sarah's madcap experiment to train an AI on everything her soon-to-be-born baby is hearing from inside the wombWhy Colossal Biosciences is de-extincting the dire wolf and other “charismatic animals” (dodos and woolly mammoths are in the works) — and why de-extinction is an important goal that will help us solve lots of other problems along the way“Shade-as-a-Service”, a new idea from climate champion, farmer, and entrepreneur Eben Bayer, the founder of MyForest Foods (maker of MyBacon, the top-selling non-meat bacon). The idea is to launch giant parasols into the atmosphere to cool the Earth below.Why Tibet and Taiwan are so key to the tech industry (not to mention global stability); Tibetan PM-in-Exile Lobsang Sangay was a speaker.How to make progress on what matters most to you, featuring a prioritization exercise from Deep Future inventor and investor Pablos HolmanFeatured Voices:Sarah Rose Siskind, science and comedy writer and the founder of Hello SciCom, a STEM communications agencyKwaku Aning, professional connector, founder/principal of RetroFuturism ConsultingDan Blumberg (me!), host of CRAFTED. and the founder of Modern Product Minds. HMU if you want to build something great. I love building from zero to one.And Pretty Please... Share with a friend! Word of mouth is how podcasts grow!Subscribe to the newsletter at crafted.fmShare your feedback! I'm experimenting with new episode formats and would love your feedback on this and other episodes. Email me: dan@modernproductminds.com or DM me on LinkedInSponsor the show? I'm actively speaking to potential sponsors for 2026 episodes. Let's talk! Get psyched!… There are some big updates to the show in 2026!

The Transformation Ground Control podcast covers a number of topics important to digital and business transformation. This episode covers the following topics and interviews: Building an AI-First Strategy (Brian Perkins, Director at Sumitomo Drive Technologies) What's REALLY Behind the Downfall of SAP, Blockbuster, and BlackBerry?   We also cover a number of other relevant topics related to digital and business transformation throughout the show.  

If your digital marketing isn't driving a clear ROI, you don't have a strategy—you have expensive noise. In this episode, Corey Morris, CEO of Voltage Digital Agency and author of The Digital Marketing Success Plan, joins David Hill to explain how to fix that fast. Episode Summary Digital marketing expert Corey Morris breaks down what every entrepreneur must know about data-driven marketing, ROI accountability, and how to adapt to the rise of AI. After 20 years in the field, Corey has seen too many brands waste money on tactics without strategy—and here, he lays out the blueprint to stop the bleeding. From understanding why most campaigns fail to mastering his START Process, Corey teaches how to align every click, ad, and piece of content with real business outcomes. He also explains how AI is disrupting SEO, search behavior, and ad targeting—and how smart entrepreneurs can turn that disruption into opportunity. In This Episode • How to tell if your marketing actually delivers ROI • Why most agencies sell tactics, not strategy • Corey's START Process for long-term digital success • How AI is reshaping SEO and Google search • The biggest opportunities and risks in AI marketing • When to walk away from a bad client or campaign Guest: Corey Morris Corey Morris is the President & CEO of Voltage Digital Agency, a Google Partner and author of The Digital Marketing Success Plan. He's contributed to Forbes, Search Engine Land, and Search Engine Journal, and speaks at major conferences across North America on SEO, AI, and marketing innovation. Connect with Corey Morris https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreymorris/ https://www.facebook.com/voltagekc Connect with David Hill: Website: https://www.davidhill.ai Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/davidihill/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidihill YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DavidHillcoach TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@davidihill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidihill X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/davidihill Book a demo call for Ring Leader AI: 774-214-2076  If you got value from this episode, subscribe, like, and share to help more entrepreneurs master their marketing. Drop your biggest takeaway in the comments below. Listen to the full episode on all platforms: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-persistent-entrepreneur/id1081069895