Cloud Wars Live with Bob Evans

Episode 40 | AI Empowerment at WorkdayThe Big Themes:Rapid innovation with Workday Extend: Workday Extend is a pivotal aspect of Workday's platform strategy. It facilitates rapid innovation, enabling quick responses to emergent needs such as workforce adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The platform's flexibility empowers users to develop bespoke solutions tailored to their unique requirements. It reflects Workday's ambition to evolve beyond being solely an application companyBringing in more partners: Workday sees partnerships as integral to its growth and innovation trajectory. Workday is broadening its partner ecosystem beyond conventional implementation collaborators, embracing a spectrum of innovation partners. This expansion aims to leverage diverse expertise to develop industry-tailored solutions and enhance platform extensibility.AI Marketplace launch: Workday plans to launch an AI marketplace, representing a significant initiative aimed at accelerating AI-driven innovation within its ecosystem. This marketplace will serve as a platform for partners to develop and distribute AI solutions built on the Workday platform. It is positioned as a means to provide customers with access to a curated selection of tested AI products while offering revenue-sharing opportunities for partners.The Big Quote: “The pace that customers want AI is a different one than all of us in the IT industry are talking about it." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 50 | Securing the Digital FrontierThe Big Themes:Multi-cloud complexity & AI: The adoption of multi-cloud environments presents significant management challenges for IT teams, including complexities in configuration, monitoring, and integration. Simultaneously, there is increasing interest in harnessing AI to enhance cybersecurity, with discussions centering on automating tasks and responses for more effective threat management.Need for proactive cybersecurity measures: Proactive cybersecurity measures are to be preferred over reactive ones. It suggests that organizations should invest in tools and strategies that predict and prevent security threats rather than just responding to them.Adaptability and skill development: In the face of technological advancements and changing job requirements, adaptability and continuous skill development are crucial. You want a workforce that can adapt to new technologies and think critically about their applications in the business context.The Big Quote: “When a company gets breached. . . somebody always wrote a memo that went 'Doesn't that look funny to you?'. . . imagine if we had a tool that kept watch that listened, that learned, that advised and maybe even got shrill. An email isn't going to go 'Hey, man, read me now.' But the right AI tool might very well be programmed to say, 'I'm going to keep texting that CIO until they listen to me.'" Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 39 | The Shifting Tech LandscapeThe Big Themes:Significant M&A activities: After a quiet period last quarter, there's been a notable trend of merger and acquisition (M&A) in the HR technology space. Specifically, Bonnie outlines key acquisitions by major players like Ceridian, Workday, ServiceNow, and Cornerstone, emphasizing the strategic moves to enhance product offerings and stay competitive.Evaluating M&A impact: Bonnie advises customers to carefully assess the impact of M&A on their contracts, pricing, and support levels. Changes are inevitable but may vary depending on the acquiring company's integration strategy. Customers need to scrutinize initial contracts and understand potential changes in service quality and pricing structures.Customer success and satisfaction: The importance of customer feedback and satisfaction emerges as a key theme, with Bonnie advocating for customer-centric approaches and the use of reviews to gauge vendor performance and customer sentiment in the midst of industry transformations.The Big Quote: “You want to be aware that when . . . a consulting party gets acquired, the culture is going to change drastically, and you want to make sure that what you had in the past —those great relationships and all of that knowledge, and partnership that was built — that isn't going to change in a new sort of model. And be aware that it very likely could." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Note: this episode contains explicit language.Episode 33 | Entrepreneurial InsightsThe Big Themes:A "radical experiment in self-governance": Chris shares his experience becoming a U.S. citizen and talks about the country's immense opportunities for individuals. The U.S., he says, is a beacon of democracy and freedom. He stresses the importance of recognizing and preserving its unique experiment in self-governance.Today's tech startups: Two innovative startups, WellCapped and DUDE Wipes, give unique answers to everyday problems. WellCapped, founded by Shante Frazier, disrupts the beauty industry with a Rent the Runway model for wigs and weaves. Meanwhile, Sean Riley's DUDE Wipes addresses the need for convenient and hygienic personal care products for men. These startups exemplify the entrepreneurial spirit.Lessons from history: Historical events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall and the rise of hiphop music demonstrate the impact of visionary individuals who challenge the status quo. By studying history and learning from past successes and failures, entrepreneurs can gain valuable insights to inform their own endeavors.The Big Quote: “Here's the secret of life . . . you figure out you're different. Some people call it being self-actualized . . . can you connect your uniqueness, your difference, your .1% difference to creating value for others in a way that makes a difference?" Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Telecom SaaS EvolutionThe Big Themes:Telecom SaaS defined: Telecom SaaS refers to a set of cloud-native services delivering business outcomes. Networks are evolving from traditional connectivity-focused structures to dynamic, capability-driven ecosystems. Telecom SaaS signals a transition from conventional telecommunication models to a more agile, business-focused paradigm.Security concerns: Nokia and its cloud partners have taken robust measures to address security concerns. Their approach includes stringent security reviews and privacy management, ensuring multiple layers of security for Telecom Saas. Nokia also undergoes accreditations and independent analysis. These steps help instill confidence in customers regarding software security.Shift to OpX model: In the Telecom SaaS transition, there's a shift from a CapEx to an OpEx model. This represents a significant change for an industry traditionally dominated by hardware-centric and CapEx-driven approaches. There are potential advantages to embracing an OpEx model, like lower total cost of ownership (TCO). But Nokia also has options to capitalize, if that's what the customer needs.The Big Quote: " . . . software-as-a-service demand is starting to move closer to the network in areas like security, the security applications . . . and then just network management. All of those types of applications have already started to move, as an extension of IT software-as-a-service, to be closer to the network and become what we've been referring to as Telecom SaaS . . . " Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 38 | IT Project MasteryThe Big Themes:Handling turnover: Partners should recognize turnover as an inherent facet of dynamic IT projects. It's important to obtain commitment, preferably in written statements within the project's scope to ensure the assigned team's stability. Such statements can offer a safeguard against abrupt team changes and provide a foundation for trust between partners and clients.Role of a "releader": The term "releader" is introduced. It refers to individuals inheriting a project or leadership role. They navigate pre-existing frameworks and dynamics. Successful releaders need qualities such as patience, people management skills, and the ability to problem-solve inherited issues. Author Jon Casteen introduced the concept in his book ReLeader: How to Fix What You Don't Break.Strategic vision: Project leaders should cast a clear vision for change and address reasons behind project scope or timeline modifications. Open communication gains team buy-in. Simultaneously, leaders are urged to avoid overly aggressive changes. They must strike a delicate balance between promptly addressing critical issues and preventing unnecessary disruptions during the ongoing project.The Big Quote: “Typically, you have to fix the plane while the plane is in flight. And so, you want to minimize the feeling of disruption, internally, while still being clear that the vision and goals are going to be realized within time." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

RaceTrac and Workday | A Unified PlatformSponsored by Workday The Big Themes:Workday's impact: The adoption of Workday's unified platform, encompassing both HCM and financials, has played a pivotal role in RaceTrac's ability to streamline processes, reduce post-processing time, and enhance overall efficiency.Cultural shift: Implementation has not only brought technological benefits but also triggered a cultural shift within RaceTrac. Employees are now more comfortable engaging with data, seeking information, and collaborating with the accounting team, fostering a more collaborative, informed decision-making environment.Quick adaptability: The adaptable nature of Workday's platform allows RaceTrac to swiftly adapt to changing business needs. The company can integrate new data, work with different modules, and implement changes in as little as a month, providing a nimble response to evolving requirements.The Big Quote: " I think that the fact that we have a single source of truth, and a digestible, understandable product ... [where] I can really understand the flow of data — where it's coming from, the nuts and bolts of it — really helps me sleep better at night." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 49 | AI RealitiesThe Big Themes:SaaS and AI terminology clarification: Wayne discusses the need to distinguish between various technology terms. He points out the common misuse of terms like SaaS and AI. He cautions against the trend of "SaaS-washing" and "AI-washing," where everything is labeled one or the other to generate excitement.SaaS and IT consumption: SaaS has brought about a paradigm shift in how IT is consumed. Unlike traditional software releases that could lead to delays and technical debt, SaaS allows for continuous updates, which means users can benefit from new features promptly. Wayne talks about the efficiency and scalability achieved by running software in a single instance in the cloud.Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) prices: Companies should prepare for potential "sticker shock" in the GenAI space. Users might be initially enticed by low prices only to face higher costs later. He advises CIOs to carefully evaluate the actual cost of GenAI queries before making investments.The Big Quote: “Well, first of all, when you look at somebody's revenue jump, bear in mind, that doesn't mean everybody's getting long-term value out of it. It means it's hyped up, and therefore everybody's trying. So, if Microsoft is charging for their Copilot, a $20 a month fee, and everybody signed up for the $20 times 100 million users, that's a revenue bump. That does not mean that over the longterm, everybody's getting their $20 value. It means we're all excited about it — we all want to try this shiny new object." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Digital MindsThe Big Themes:d'Skills' mission and focus: d'Skills is addressing a significant problem in the current education system. The obsolete education model fails to prepare students for the modern workforce. d'Skills aims to bridge the gap between traditional education and the demands of the future job market, with a focus on giving "native digitals" (Gen Z) the necessary skills to thrive in the age of AI.The state of education: The education system focuses on preparing students for standardized tests rather than cultivating essential life skills. AI's ascent is reshaping industries, and the traditional educational model is struggling to keep up. Hannah emphasizes that schools are banning AI even as it becomes a crucial aspect of the workforce.Native digitals' potential and perspective: Native digitals approach work, thinking, and playing from a foundation in the digital realm, extending into the physical realm, distinguishing them from previous generations. They possess a unique outlook that, when combined with AI tools, leads to innovative solutions.The Big Quote: "Right now, parents are investing significant amounts of money in college readiness and test prep, and yet the degrees their kids are going to get are going to be irrelevant when they graduate." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 37 | Lessons from 500 ReviewsThe Big Themes:GenAI feedback: Despite being a central 2023 technology discussion theme, GenAI did not substantially transform software implementation outcomes, as indicated by data from over 500 reviews. Bonnie says the feedback she received was more about project fundamentals, such as data quality, project plans, and teams. Looking ahead to 2024, Bonnie anticipates a greater impact from generative AI, especially in terms of efficiency and speed.Turnover impact: Project team turnover, both within the client organization and among consulting teams, is a significant factor influencing project satisfaction, requiring careful management to avoid negative impacts.Realistic expectations: Setting realistic expectations for time and cost in software implementation is crucial, with the rapid selling of implementations leading to challenges when expectations don't align with actual outcomes. Vendors must set accurate expectations for customers to allocate sufficient time and resources for change management and training.The Big Quote: "[Make] sure that integrations are being cared for, and that there's enough thought process and a plan around integrations, not 'Oh, well, it's a standard integration,' and just assume[ing] that things are going to automatically connect with one another, because it's always a lot more complicated than you think." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Co-operators, Deloitte, and SAP: Digital Trends in Insurance SalesSponsored: SAP The Big Themes:A pivotal shift: The insurance industry is shifting towards digitization and GenAI to enhance digital transformation and sales performance management. Experts stress a holistic approach, prioritizing interconnected ecosystems for maximum benefits from modern cloud platforms. The need to provide end-to-end experiences for customers, agents, and employees emerges as a key focus.Generational dynamics: Ongoing studies reveal a slower adoption of life insurance among millennials compared to preceding generations. This evolving landscape presents challenges for the industry in terms of both enticing and retaining agents.GenAI, a major factor: GenAI is a force within the insurance sector, influencing every facet from the front-end customer interactions to the middle and back-office operations. It can provide personalized insights that enhance both customer and agent experiences. This technology can assist in addressing persistent industry challenges.The Big Quote: "But when you don't have that interconnected ecosystem where you're looking at it holistically and moving the whole thing in the direction forward, you're not going to get the full benefit of . . . these modern cloud platforms. You're going to just get that basic table stakes, efficiency gains, and things like that. But that end-to-end experience that you want to provide your customers, your employees, and your agents, it's not going to come together if you don't try to prioritize and manage all of these things at the same time and not lose focus on all the different areas that you're doing business in." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 16 | Talent Acquisition Growth MindsetThe Big Themes:Shift from talent acquisition to talent attraction: Pat and Bob discuss moving from a reactive talent acquisition approach to a proactive talent attraction strategy. Rather than waiting for job openings, Pat encourages companies and recruiters to explore the market, identify top talent, and build relationships through exploratory engagements.Balancing diversity and talent acquisition: Diversity is important, Pat says, but a singular focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) can hinder overall talent acquisition strategies. Instead, a balanced approach that considers culture fit, talent, and diversity as essential components is recommended.Persistence pays off: Identify high-performing individuals in competitors and proactively pursue them. Pat shares anecdotes about his persistent efforts to recruit top talent, even when faced with initial rejection. Building relationships and pursuing promising candidates over time can ultimately lead to successful hires.The Big Quote: " . . . Focus on diversity at the bottom-up, not the top-down. If you really want to change the diversity of your company, you need to start with early talent and university recruiting." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 32 | Youth, AI, and InnovationThe Big Themes:Emergence of new startup models: There's a new model of startups that leverage AI to create and innovate. These startups can emerge quickly, requiring less capital and fewer people compared to traditional startups. The example given is of a startup achieving in one year what used to take three years and $25 million.Youth empowerment with AI: Young people, "native digitals," have surprising capabilities when given the right direction, coaching, and frameworks. Chris recounts experiences that challenge traditional views on supervision and training. Young individuals, even without prior coding experience, can successfully innovate with AI in a short time.Opportunity for corporations and recruitment: Corporations, especially CTOs, CIOs, and startup founders, should explore creating recruitment pipelines for young people skilled in AI-enabled innovation. The potential to tap into the creativity of native digital individuals is a strategic advantage.The Big Quote: "What I've learned in the last year, is that when you have legendary young people focused on this stuff, with the right level of encouragement ... well, anything's possible." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

AI, Industries, and Customer ExperienceThe Big ThemesUnified SAP strategy: SAP strategically integrates Customer Experience (CX) and Industries, leveraging its status as a big enterprise with 400,000+ global customers. Its unique approach of combining strengths offers comprehensive tools from supply chain to enterprise resource planning (ERP) for a seamless, industry-focused experience for a diverse customer base.Retail evolution: The retail space is evolving into a combination of multiple industries, with a focus on providing a smooth, connected experience for customers from discovery to fulfillment. Every step of the journey, there's a promise to the customer that needs to be met, which software can help fulfill.Business outcomes and AI: It's critical to focus on business outcomes rather than getting overly caught up in the technology itself. The goal is to deliver tangible value to customers and optimize operations. SAP's approach to AI involves solving for business outcomes first and avoiding distraction by the technology itself.The Big Quote: “... what SAP will do this year, and in the years to come, is [to be] laser-focused on the outcome of what our customers are asking, independent of solutions. Optimizing the whole, looking at it as a connected, intelligent CX, that solves for outcomes at every step of the journey." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 48 | Vendor ChallengesThe Big Themes:Contract management: Wayne and Bob discuss contract renewals and price hikes with a focus on SaaS agreements. There's an enduring need for a proactive approach and transparent communication with vendors. Metrics, scalability, and adaptability are touched upon as ways to assess value.AI washing: Some companies may exaggerate or misrepresent the extent of artificial intelligence integration in their products or services in what's known as "AI washing." Wayne and Bob advocate for transparency in AI-related claims. "You can't call every product an AI product, just because it does two calculations in a row."Strategic vendor partnerships: Wayne suggests moving away from transactional arrangements toward cultivating trust with a select few partners. It's critical to consider the vendor's business process, integrity, and forward-thinking approach when choosing partners. He urges CIOs to invest time in building partnerships, participating in user councils, and attending events that bring customers and vendors together.The Big Quote: "The message to the CIO is, when you sign a SaaS contract, be very careful about what happens at the end of that contract. The best time to figure out what to do at the end of the contract is at the beginning, not as you get to the end." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 36 | Guarding Against IT AmnesiaThe Big Themes:IT amnesia: Bonnie introduces the concept of IT amnesia syndrome in tech projects, where post-success, lack of documentation leads to project failures. A culture of documentation is necessary to counter challenges.Employee turnover: Documentation ensures knowledge continuity as team members move on post-project. Succession plans address turnover, facilitating transitions and preserving project insights. By ensuring a structured handover process, organizations can safeguard against knowledge loss and maintain continuity.Role of GenAI: GenAI can help with documentation since many individuals face challenges in writing. Bonnie emphasizes that while AI doesn't replace the need for accuracy checks, it significantly speeds up the documentation process. Generative AI helps people make their notes on processes grammatically correct and easily digestible documents, making documentation more efficient.The Big Quote: "Documentation and a culture of documentation: Making sure that everybody knows that it's not good enough to check a box. You have to check the box and have the documentation to ensure that process will happen in the future as well." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 31 | Current Affairs UnmaskedNote: this episode contains explicit language.The Big ThemesDEI and MLK: Christopher surveys the contemporary DEI landscape, expressing concerns about its focus on groupism rather than individual merit, citing instances of what he perceives as discrimination against certain groups. He draws a sharp contrast between the principles of DEI and the inclusive dream articulated by Martin Luther King, Jr.The Middle East: Hypocrisy within academia regarding the Middle East is highlighted, with a close look at Claudine Gay's recent appearance before Congress. The Middle East discussion serves as a microcosm reflecting broader concerns about ideological extremism, free speech, and the need for nuanced conversations.OpenAI Turmoil: Christopher expresses skepticism and concern about the decision-makers at OpenAI, characterizing them as "DEI elitists" with questionable values and ethics. Despite acknowledging the need for government regulation, oversight, and transparency in AI development, he opposes the notion of elitist individuals having undue influence. The board's embrace of effective altruism is tied to DEI.The Big Quote: "Here's the prediction: In 2024, we will see what is required now, which is there will be the emergence of courageous CEOs who say, we are suspending all DEI efforts in our company. And we're going to do a review of them. And what we're going to try to re-align around is equality for all . . ." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 47 | 2024 CIO WisdomThe Big Themes:Multi-cloud strategies: Wayne advises against traditional server purchases, except for edge computing. He advocates for a multi-cloud approach, which aligns with the diverse landscape of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. He encourages CIOs to optimize cloud choices for different workloads. In the multi-cloud environment, vendors should be scrutinized based on security, data protection, and governance standards.AI and cybersecurity: There's a perpetual arms race in cybersecurity. Wayne believes that AI, particularly large language models, introduces a significant shift, enabling adversaries to deploy smarter attack vectors. He urges increases in cybersecurity budgets, predicting that by 2024 or 2025, defensive AI implementations could tip the balance in favor of defenders.Tactical vs. strategic CIO: Wayne introduces the "four Ps" methodology (prioritize, patch, polish, perfect) as a framework for CIOs to manage daily challenges while envisioning future improvements. There's a need for CIOs to balance tactical problem-solving with strategic vision. A successful CIO must navigate both aspects: be able to effectively address immediate issues as well as articulate a compelling vision for the future to stakeholders.The Big Quote: "And so the message to CIOs is, if you're buying servers, other than for edge computing, you're investing poorly in 2024. I'm that blunt about it. My goal is never to buy another server in my life unless it's an edge application." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

What's Next for IndustriesThe Big Themes:Industry convergence: Industry convergence is the reshaping of traditional value chains as well as business processes and models as different sectors integrate horizontally and vertically, creating new markets and revenue streams. SAP plays a pivotal role in industry convergence by helping businesses across 25 industries navigate and capitalize on the changing landscape.Integrated artificial intelligence (AI), better automation: From predictive planning in retail to enhancing safety in manufacturing, AI will help automate critical functions, improving efficiency. Automation must move beyond compression and focus on transforming processes.Data ecosystems: Data ecosystems take center stage. In the future, ERP will evolve into a networked system leveraging diverse data ecosystems and semantics. The emphasis is on managing these ecosystems collaboratively across industries, for seamless access and exchange of data.The Big Quote: "The industries customers operate in define their core business. So their core business really has an industry spin. But with industry convergence now coming to the forefront,[it's] reshaping nearly every industry. It is also blurring a little bit the traditional value chains that we are used to . . . It's the integration of technologies, business processes, and also business models." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

SAP's CX TransformationThe Big Themes:SAP's intelligent CX: SAP intelligent CX aims to move away from the traditional front-office and back-office distinctions and create a unified system that optimizes every touchpoint in the customer journey. It involves collecting and leveraging operational data, adopting a composable and hybrid strategy, emphasizing personalization, and infusing AI at every step to enhance customer interactions and loyalty.Holiday trends: Holiday trends reveal an uptick in average order value, while consumer behavior shows a shift from an average of nine purchases to eight this year. Shoppers are expected to streamline their holiday purchases to around four to five stores, focusing on higher-value products with a bit more emphasis on savings. Timely relevance, personalization, and smooth interactions are crucial, as consumers are quick to disengage if the shopping experience feels awkward or lacks relevance.Automotive and utilities: In the automotive sector, there is a significant shift from traditional dealership models to a direct-to-consumer approach, transforming cars into "stores on four wheels." Concurrently, within the utilities industry, collaborations with entities like Duke Energy exemplify the use of real-time data to gain insights into energy consumption patterns. It focuses on 24/7 availability, personalized services, and proactive communication.The Big Quote: "I would highly recommend to any customer experience leader on the planet to really once try to pick up the phone and get something arranged. It should be the life lesson for all of them, whether you're utilities or in automotive, retail, or CPG [consumer packaged goods]." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 35 | Customer ConnectionsThe Big ThemesAppointment hygiene: Maintain good appointment hygiene by scheduling appointments promptly, respecting allotted time, and communicating clearly. Avoid delays and make sure appointments align with the customer's expectations. Even if work goes smoothly or superbly, it can be difficult for a client to look past problems with scheduling and communication.Considerate conversations: While having year-end meetings with customers, show a deep understanding of the customer by personalizing conversations. Ask strategic questions to uncover client goals and achievements and avoid direct discussions about commissions or financial incentives tied to contract renewals. Finally, end meetings on a positive note.Utilize artificial intelligence (AI) Tools: Leverage AI tools, such as transcription services, to automatically summarize meetings and conversations. This ensures that key points are documented and can be referenced for follow-up actions.The Big Quote: "Do your homework ahead of time, bring things to the table that [customers] didn't necessarily tell you about so you can show that, 'Hey, I care about you, because I want to do more. I come to the table with more than just what you've told me.' I think that's a really big thing. People love to hear their name." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

The Big ThemesMigration from legacy: AlloyDB is for enterprises looking to modernize their data states, particularly those transitioning from legacy databases to open-source offerings like PostgreSQL. Its role as "Postgres on steroids" addresses the challenges faced during this migration and ensures compatibility, scale, and performance.Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) alignment: Andi emphasizes that successful businesses will not only focus on developing GenAI skills but also on effectively managing their data states. The combination of data and AI technologies is pivotal for delivering highly differentiated, immersive customer experiences and therefore for delivering broader business outcomes.Multi-Cloud Flexibility: AlloyDB's ability to operate in multi-cloud and hybrid environments, including Azure, AWS, on-premises, or at the edge, demonstrates its flexibility and acknowledgment of the reality that not all workloads will immediately move to Google Cloud.The Big Quote: "Everyone's trying to rethink how they increase their differentiation, how they deliver better user experiences, how they can really exploit those technologies . . . The ones that are going to be successful, are not just the ones who build the AI or GenAI skill set, but [who] really have a good hold of their data state. And know how to bring those two worlds together." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

The Big ThemesLeading the Way to Cloud First: Christian discusses how SAP has become a cloud-first company. The RISE with SAP program, coupled with strategic acquisitions like Signavio, plays an important role in SAP's transformation, offering more than just a technical shift to the cloud but focusing on customer needs and business model transformation.AI Insights: SAP's business AI initiatives, including generative AI, will transform the way end-users interact with software, with tools like Joule and automated code generation to make every developer an AI developer. Embedding generative AI into business is a priority for customers, and SAP's position at the nexus of business and technology puts it in a unique position to serve this need.Strategic Partnerships: Recognizing the significance of partnerships, SAP collaborates with industry giants like Google, Microsoft, and AWS to enhance its offerings, demonstrating a shift towards a more collaborative approach for mutual benefits. Partners are an integral part of SAP's portfolio, and they are enhancing their end value by a significant amount because no one can develop everything on their own.The Big Quote: "I can still remember 23 years back, some people I met at Morton Street in New York, right at our office. They are still colleagues, some are even friends. They are helping me still today, you know, from New York. Even as a CEO, the network is so important. You need people, to have the people on your side. Because even as a CEO, you cannot run the company alone." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

CFO — From Scorekeeper to Tech-Driven VisionaryThe CFO's changing role: Technology, specifically AI, is transforming the role of the chief financial officer (CFO) from a traditional scorekeeper who deals with financial reporting and risk management, to a futurist who leads enterprise-wide transformations. It allows CFOs to shift their focus from routine, time-consuming tasks to more strategic and forward-thinking responsibilities.The essential contribution of human skills: Value creation is a collaborative effort between humans and technology. Skills needed included empathy, communication, and consensus-building. In a future where automation handles routine tasks, finance professionals must harness these human skills to co-create and work together.Value creation through intangible assets: CFOs must shift their focus from managing financial and tangible assets to managing intangible assets like human capital, intellectual capital, social and relationship capital, and natural capital. These intangible assets often account for a significant portion of a company's value. Finance professionals need to use proxies and metrics to understand and quantify their impact on business outcomes.The Big Quote: "It's not just about automation for the sake of reducing workload, but actually to look at technology as an enabler of . . . transformational changes in your business model. How do you serve your customers in new ways? How do you transform your business model with new products?" Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 34 | Tech Event Insights The Big Themes:Employee hiring and development trends: AI is enabling predictive candidate performance analysis, and refining job descriptions. Employee engagement and well-being are crucial in the remote and hybrid work landscape, with HR addressing concerns like burnout and mental health to retain talent. Data-driven decisions empowered by AI are enhancing HR functions.Financial wellness: Earned wage access is a key development in HR tech, reflecting the growing importance of employee and contract or gig worker financial wellness. This concept allows workers to access their earned wages before the traditional payday, providing them with more control over their finances and potentially reducing financial stress.Looking to 2024: Bonnie points out that the coming year will provide a strong dose of reality with regard to the promise of AI. The key question is whether these technologies will truly transform and enhance processes or if they will remain as mere buzzwords. She also sees the slowdown in talent acquisition.The Big Quote: “Rather than being afraid that AI is going to replace me, the conversation I think everybody should have, no matter what your job is, is ‘How can I use AI so that I can become a superhero in my job and be that much smarter, that much more efficient, and able to make the mission-critical decisions?'” Visit Cloud Wars for more.

AI's Transformative LandscapeThe Big ThemesCIO and CDO roles: When the roles of CIO and CDO are separate, each can have its own priorities. A strong collaboration between the two should be encouraged to help align these priorities and increase focus on what benefits the business, even if the timing of returns varies.Data-driven transformation: Transitioning to a data-driven company has been pivotal for Rubrik. By embracing data-driven insights, it's gained a deeper understanding of its business operations, identified challenges such as data quality and financial health, and empowered employees with actionable insights.Future of GenAI: Beyond productivity gains, GenAI holds the potential to fundamentally transform businesses by systematically eliminating hurdles and solving previously unsolvable problems. Data quality is an area that GenAI might have a significant impact on down the line. The Big Quote: "...I talk to all the business leaders [and ask things like] 'What is it about your business that bothers you, or you wish you could improve further?' I think you start with those kinds of statements. Because then you can quickly translate that back into a series of data fragments that. . . turn into metrics, get aggregated, and then finally get enabled to help the business leader with some stories." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 47 | The Impact of the GenAI RevolutionThe Big Themes:The fast-paced nature of the GenAI Revolution: Because generative AI is being developed at a rapid pace, companies are able to accelerate their progress and pace of innovation. GenAI brings greater time to value, leading to quick adoption and impact.Reimagine business processes: Organizations must consider how they can harness generative AI to maintain a competitive edge. By optimizing this technology, business leaders can reimagine business processes to enable greater productivity and better outcomes.New expectations from customers and vendors: The capabilities coming from the GenAI Revolution are raising the expectations and experiences of customers as well as employees and vendors. As generative AI is developed to be more user-friendly, it can enhance recruitment and retention as well as open new possibilities for leveraging the technology. The Big Quote: "I am not a fan of fear, uncertainty, and doubt causing people anxiety of 'Oh you have to act now, or you're going to go out of business' or any of that kind of nonsense. However, this is one of those moments — this is a stop, drop, and roll moment — where I think people have to say, 'This is different. I need to understand how I can harness the power of what's happening these days.'" Visit Cloud Wars for more.

The Big Themes:CIO role change: CIOs are facing a shifting role in the age of AI. While AI technologies are automating many routine tasks and processes, CIOs are increasingly focusing on enabling business transformation, fostering a culture of innovation, and ensuring that AI is used strategically to empower employees.Evolution of technology: AI and technological advancements are part of the natural evolution of the business world. There’ve been similar discussions and concerns when new technologies, such as mini-computers, local area networks, and the internet, emerged in the past. AI is the latest technology that is changing how businesses operate.Empowering employees: AI and automation are liberating employees from routine, low-value tasks, allowing them to focus on more strategic and high-value work. This transformation in responsibilities can lead to more engaged and empowered employees as they move from mundane tasks to more meaningful work.The Big Quote: ” . . . not just AI, but technology will eliminate more and more routine, low-thought jobs, and high muscle or high danger jobs, warehouse jobs, loading ships, jobs, construction jobs, we’ve got to accept that it’s going to change . . . how do we redeploy our human resources, our people, some of whom have been with us 20, 30, 40 years, and let that be the driver of the process, instead of being enslaved by the process?” Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Challenges and Strategies in Tech Industry EcosystemsThe Big ThemesIndustry-specific applications: The tech industry is witnessing a significant shift towards industry-specific applications and the importance of ecosystems. Tech vendors are grappling with challenges in aligning their strategies with the evolving landscape, where industry expertise and partnerships play pivotal roles.Strategy sequence: Ashlyn outlines a four-point sequence for effective strategy implementation in the tech industry. This sequence is comprised of identifying growth drivers; crafting differentiated messages; cross-functional campaigns; and sales enablement.Generative AI impact: The rise of generative AI is impacting the tech industry's approach to strategies and messaging. The presence of generative AI is creating accelerators in the market, lowering barriers to entry for new ideas and campaigns. As a result, tech companies should start implementing their strategies as early as possible. The Big Quote: "You have messaging that's so high level that it almost doesn't say anything, or it says the same thing as everyone else. There are probably hundreds of businesses pushing out messaging about accelerating digital transformation, for instance. There's got to be this middle ground in between [being] so technical, that it's only attractive to a small handful of people and doesn't break through and so high level that your eyes sort of glaze over, and it doesn't capture attention. That is where we see the industry strategies and the partner strategies really helping." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 15 | Building Recruitment TrustThe Big ThemesContingent agency vs. other recruiting models: The differences between contingent search (fee-based recruitment paid upon successful placement) and other recruiting models, like retained agencies and social recruiting, are explored, emphasizing the value of contingency agencies in today’s job market. Contingency agencies mean less risk for the client.Connecting with good candidates: Todd explains he has a good team, with many senior people who get that it’s about really understanding who that candidate is and that the candidate is an individual in addition to his or her resume. The focus shouldn’t be on sending a large number of resumes along to the client, but on the quality of the candidates.Opportunities in a down market: In a down market with layoffs and increased talent availability, there are still critical hiring needs. Companies must focus on essential positions, and this presents opportunities for recruiters who can deliver quality candidates efficiently. The Big Quote: “LinkedIn is a huge asset, but, because the market is so soft, and there’s so many people in the marketplace, the postings on LinkedIn are more frustration than benefit. Because of social recruiting, a lot of candidates think that they should be following LinkedIn when in actuality they shouldn’t, they should actually be engaging with people like Todd and his team.” Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 33 | Transparency for Customer and Partner RelationshipsThe Big Themes:Maintaining strong partner relationships: The partners ecosystem is a key component to delivering value to customers, especially within the enterprise software industry. Workday emphasizes how much partners have contributed to its growth, so it prioritizes maintaining a healthy partners ecosystem.Customer reviews: By actively seeking customer reviews, companies can build credibility and maintain strong customer relationships. Partners asking customers for reviews is indicative that the partner stands by their work and demonstrates transparency in their operations. Sharing the customers’ voices also indicates which partners ensure customers have an excellent experience.Workday’s AI approach: At Workday Rising, the company emphasized trustworthiness, its data foundation, and being human-centric as three key elements of its approach to AI. While there are many technological advancements happening, Workday still prioritizes trust and transparency to maintain its connection with its customers.Sponsored by NetSuiteThe Big Quote: “A software vendor is only as good as their partners because the customer doesn’t see any delineation in their implementation between Workday themselves and the partner that’s helping them… It’s really important for Workday and really any enterprise software vendor to make sure that their partners are doing a great job and delivering in a consistent way because, ultimately, that’s how the customer is going to rate the vendor Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 30 | Embracing the Future TodayNote: this episode contains explicit language.The Big ThemesDigital transformation reshapes industries: McDonald's has seen a significant shift in its sales, with 40% of its revenue coming from apps, delivery, or kiosk orders. This reflects the growing preference for digital ordering and the decline of in-person dining, prompting changes in restaurant layouts and services.AI's impact on creativity and innovation: AI is influencing various aspects of creativity, including the generation of creative content like movie scripts and even the creation of consumer products like Coca-Cola flavors. Christopher had a ChatGPT song in the style of Tom Waits and thought it did a great job.Technological advancements come in unexpected ways: There's a ripple effect with scientific research and exploration. Breakthroughs in one area can lead to advancements in various other fields. Researchers developed new technology, such as AI and deep-sea exploration equipment, as a result of their search for interstellar objects.The Big Quote: "If you look back in history, America's striving for the moon and space travel . . .[what] doesn't get talked about are all of the sub-breakthroughs that it led to, many of which form the basis of our industry: miniaturization, communication. All these things lead us to the internet and ultimately impact how we think about computing and a lot of other things." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

What's Next With DataThe Big ThemesBusiness and IT convergence: IT and business operations are increasingly converging. CEOs and executives are recognizing the critical role of technology in achieving strategic business objectives. Juergen is seeing more and more "fusion teams" where IT and business come together.Generative AI impact: Generative AI is a transformative technology with significant implications across industries. Businesses are exploring how generative AI can enhance operations, decision-making, and create entirely new opportunities. Business that are still on-prem may see the advent of Gen AI as a pressing reason to move onto the cloud.Data management and data access: Effective data management is necessary for leveraging generative AI and other advanced technologies. SAP's Datasphere is an answer for remote data access and federation. The Big Quote: "No customer I'm aware of is successful with the central data lake. The efforts of bringing data together in their heterogeneous application landscape are just too big. And therefore, we firmly believe that data federation will be the prevailing method of accessing data." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Road to Oracle CloudWorld | CloudWorld Preview The Big ThemesAI capabilities: Customers will receive over 50 artificial intelligence (AI) use cases in Oracle applications including customer experience (CX), human capital management (HCM), and finance. AI can improve business processes and decision-making. Data quality and security are important for effective AI implementation.Business processes flow: Technology and business processes are evolving, shifting from traditional distinctions between front office and back office to a more integrated, end-to-end approach.What today’s talent wants: Employees not only seek job satisfaction but also expect opportunities for personal and career growth. Oracle recognizes this and has innovated within its HCM applications to meet these expectations.The Big Quote: “The employee base that’s coming in now . . . not only want to be happy, but their expectations as far as the company’s investment in terms of their own career growth and their own personal growth is just increasing . . . and between Oracle ME, Oracle Grow, and Celebrate within our HCM applications, while we do core HR and core payroll and core benefits, that’s where the innovation has been.” Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 32 | Optimize Your CloudWorld ExperienceThe Big ThemesExplore new technology. Identify areas of interest and focus your attention on them. Engage with fellow attendees to learn from their experiences and gain real-world perspectives on the technologies and partners showcased at the event. Take notes efficiently to capture important insights and share them with your team promptly.Partner selection. CloudWorld has upwards of close to 200 partners in the expo hall. It’s a very efficient way to meet potential partners to assist you with implementation. Go to the expo hall and use simple questions while interviewing as many partners as you can.Practical preparation. Opt for comfortable attire and shoes suitable for long walks as Oracle CloudWorld and other large events can involve a significant amount of walking. It’s appropriate to go business casual. Make sure to have a way in which you can easily take notes. Bonnie uses her iPad.The Big Quote: "Leave home your daily grind. It is tempting, and I'm speaking to myself here, to be checking emails throughout the event and be like, 'oh, my gosh, I just got to do this, I've got to do this, I've got to take this conference call.' This gives you the opportunity to be present. You have your out-of-office on, and people don't expect you to send emails back immediately, hopefully. Use this opportunity to really get deep, be present." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Road to Oracle CloudWorld | Cloud Giants UniteThe Big ThemesHistoric multi-cloud partnership: Oracle and Microsoft's recent meeting marks a historic collaboration in the world of cloud computing. Larry Ellison was on the Microsoft campus for the first time, appearing with Satya Nadella. This partnership signifies the culmination of years of effort in promoting multi-cloud tools, making it easier for customers to utilize both companies' services.Interconnected clouds: The integration between Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and Azure allows for a more seamless experience and eliminates the barriers customers face when dealing with different vendors. Customers can now use Oracle database services just like any other Azure service, simplifying operations and preserving existing commitments.Looking toward CloudWorld: The Oracle and Microsoft partnership announcement couldn't have come at a better time, setting the stage for significant discussions and presentations during CloudWorld, with real-life demos and details about different regions. Attendees can also expect a focus on generative AI at the event.The Big Quote: " . . . essentially, you're able to now use Oracle database services, just like you would any other Azure service. Whether it's a database service or a past service, the experience is no different. The great news is that you can use your Microsoft commitments, but you can also use all of your existing Oracle programs, whether it's your ULA [unlimited license agreement], your support rewards, [or] BYOL [bring your own license]." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 39 |Gen AI’s Impact on BusinessThe Big Themes:The focus of technology buyers. Buyers are paying attention to Gen AI’s potential to transform a business. There are going to be increasingly more enhanced, or entirely new, roles, like prompt engineer, to help companies harness the power of new technology.Getting off the sidelines. Technology buyers and other executives who did not adopt technologies like the PC, internet, and mobile fast enough were left behind. Tony remembers people not understanding why they needed PCs when they had typewriters and thinks those not diving into Gen AI may be making a similar mistake.Turbocharged co-creation. Generative AI will enable the production of more exciting software tools and applications by creating new opportunities for collaborative platforms and leveling the playing field for contributors from varied technical backgrounds. Sponsored by NetSuiteThe Big Quote: “Gen AI has the opportunity to help us create collaborative platforms for co-creation, that will have capabilities that are just simply mindblowing. Because again, go back to, you don’t have to always be somebody who knows how to code, you don’t have to be somebody that knows how to do data analytics at a supercomputer level, right? The power of these tools will allow that.” Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Banking's move to the cloud: The banking industry is shifting from building and maintaining on-premise infrastructure to adopting cloud services to improve efficiency and agility. The shift is gradual due to the responsibility of safeguarding data and complying with stringent regulatory requirements.Global regulations: Navigating diverse global privacy laws and regulatory requirements remains one of the industry's biggest challenges. There are few common positions, although regional agreements are a step in the right direction. There's an example of a customer who had to talk to more than 50 different regulators while implementing an SAP suite.AI and machine learning: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are being applied in banking processes to improve efficiency, predict contract consumption, and provide guided buying procedures. The Big Quote: ". . .cloud is not like the old managed services where you took your mess, and you made it someone else's problem to execute. It really does require you to understand what you have today [and] where you want to go. And you have to be prepared for that. Because otherwise, it really could be a very unpleasant deployment . . . we avoided a lot of that by being prepared and taking our time and not rushing." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 31 | Keeping Customers Happy Today’s customer success: Customer success is not just about selling products but ensuring that customers achieve value and satisfaction from their purchases. In terms of software implementation, early stages are critical for customer success, with the first year being defining.Evolving sales team: Sales teams are involved longer than they have been in the past. Having the same salesperson throughout a multiyear contract is ideal. The emphasis on customer success and customer satisfaction is important for sales teams because it’s another selling point for them. Reviews and other measurements are helpful for sales teams.Clear communication and expectations: Misaligned expectations can lead to project failures and dissatisfaction. Clear communication between customers, partners, and vendors is necessary to avoid misunderstandings and to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding goals, timelines, and outcomes.The Big Quote: “Customers don’t want to be marketed to anymore. They want to hear realistic stories, they want to hear candor from clients who have gone through the experience . . . authenticity is so important.”Stream the audio version of this episode: Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Innovating InsuranceThe Big Themes:Cloud adoption challenges and benefits: Cloud adoption has been relatively slow because insurance companies and financial institutions tend to act conservatively, but now it's picking up. A core cloud enabler has been the need to standardize and centralize systems in order to increase speed, bring down costs, and bring in more data quality and transparency.Generative AI integration: GenAI is the next step after the movement from on-prem to cloud is completed, although some companies have already begun integrating it. Gen AI, along with the cloud, will dramatically change insurance so that ten years from now the public might not even recognize where insurance is bought from or where it is included.Regulatory compliance and localized requirements: Global companies like Sun Life must make sure they meet many different countries' regulations and requirements. Regulations can go beyond countries and regions and come from different companies or governments. Regulatory compliance for insurance often necessitates data centers in specific countries. The Big Quote: "The objective is to further simplify, standardize, in the end, the core systems, because only by doing that [will] companies . . . be able to go into a public cloud now. The end goal ... is not the private cloud. It's the public cloud, and in the public cloud, standardization is a key topic. And in the public cloud, SAP is offering [the] right services." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

We’re on the Road to Oracle CloudWorld. From September 18-21 in Las Vegas, Oracle will bring together its customers and partners. Acceleration Economy’s Road to Oracle CloudWorld series will feature Oracle execs previewing what’s to come at this year’s conference. For this podcast, I spoke with Peter Jazowick, CIO, Specialized Bicycle Components, who will be a featured speaker at the event. Road to Oracle CloudWorld | A Cloud-First TransitionThe Big ThemesPandemic innovation opportunities: Specialized Bicycle Components experienced accelerated sales and a difficult supply chain during the pandemic. It was a chance for Oracle to be utilized as a strategic partner. The company transitioned to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI) and had a cloud-first approach as it tackled its issues. Reliability and scalability of platforms became paramount to support and enable the business.Technical debt focus: Technical debt was addressed in part by investing in technology and partnering with Oracle’s Customer Success Services (CSS), which led to accelerated project delivery and increased support satisfaction.Co-creation with business: Specialized’s global technology 2027 strategy has a focused theme on co-creation with business. Business and technology leadership will work together and co-create to have alignment and accountability across the board. Jazowick sees this as critical in order to build morale and increase delivery across the company.The Big Quote: ” . . . subscription-based models or pay-as-you-go models, those are all opportunities that we didn’t have pre-pandemic . . . And as we . . . brought in and transformed our B2B platform with CX [customer experience] commerce with Oracle, and really drove growth with the partnership with our retailers, that allowed us to look at those other business models and [have] technology empower and accelerate those areas. “ Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Road to Oracle CloudWorld | IAC’s Oracle JourneyThe Big ThemesIAC’s use of Oracle Technology: IAC, a conglomerate of diverse companies, employs various Oracle products to streamline transactions, accounting, finance, and reporting, ensuring accuracy and efficiency. It historically used third-party hosting facilities but has migrated everything to Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI).Innovation and growth: Oracle applications provide tools for intricate revenue and lease accounting rules, negating the need for third-party systems. This approach offers better control, compliance, and cost-effectiveness and promotes innovation and growth.Enhancing Employee and Customer Experiences: All end users, including employees, should be considered customers. Oracle’s technology enables smoother experiences by improving backend systems. An example is given of a significant reduction in processing time for a specific report.The Big Quote: “So, with various 606 revenue rules, with various 842 lease accounting rules, the Oracle applications allow us to expand and utilize the functionality that’s inherently available in the applications, therefore allowing us not to bolt in any third-party applications, which is hugely beneficial for multiple reasons. One being, you have one less system to manage; two, you have better compliance and controls over the data; [and] three, it’s cost-efficient, as well.”Want to be part of the action at Oracle CloudWorld 2023?Get an Oracle pass to join in person. Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 29 | Don't Miss the ParadeNote: this episode contains explicit language.The Big Themes:Carrots and sticks: Maintaining a balance between rewards and consequences is important for society. The absence of effective deterrents, such as appropriate punishment, can lead to a decline in individual responsibility and social cohesion.Shift in VC investment behavior: There's a strong trend towards investing in AI-related companies. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO) has gripped the VC community, driving many to invest in AI startups to avoid being left behind. This AI frenzy can lead to both promising innovations and potential investment bubbles.Opportunity and awareness gap: While many acknowledge the potential of AI, a substantial number of individuals, including smart and established players, remain passive or ignorant about the ongoing technological revolution.The Big Quote: "We're at the very front end of AI, and it reminds me of [an] old expression . . . there's three kinds of people. There's the people in the parade, and there's the people who watch the parade, and there's the people who said, 'Oh, is there a parade?' And there's a stunning number of people who don't even know there's a parade right now . . . that's where the opportunity is." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Road to Oracle CloudWorld | Shifting CX Dynamics The Big ThemesAttendee conference goals: A conference shouldn’t only be a product showcase. At CloudWorld, attendees can expect not only to hear about new features and products but also to network with peers and Oracle leaders and learn about what’s changing for CX practitioners.Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) and CX transformation: Gen AI is having a huge impact on the CX domain. Many customer processes benefit from large language models and innovating those into Fusion Cloud applications. Gen AI leans heavily into Fusion Cloud’s push to build truly end-to-end flowsRise of the subscription business model: The subscription business model is becoming the new normal, and the Fusion Applications Suite enables it in the back-office and the front-office. Salespeople must readjust their behaviors and processes to handle subscriptions effectively.The Big Quote: “There are lots of companies that were not born in the cloud and obviously have worked for a long time with [a] . . . non-recurring revenue model, a one-time interaction between a customer and a vendor . . . That’s changing dramatically in every industry . . . customers want to subscribe to usage.” Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Road to Oracle CloudWorld | Databases with Jenny Tsai-SmithThe Big ThemesInclusive to all customers: After last year, when some on-premises customers mistakenly thought that the conference might be geared exclusively to cloud customers, Oracle is using the name "Database World at CloudWorld" to make it clear that cloud, hybrid, and on-premises Oracle Database customers are all included.AI integrated into Oracle Database: Oracle has incorporated artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into its database offerings. The company already supports over 30 ML algorithms within the database, enabling data processing and training without moving data outside. Graph analytics and real-time graph views are among the upcoming AI-related features.Enhancements in Exadata and developer support: Oracle's Exadata product line, in collaboration with AMD, brings enhanced performance through increased memory, processing speed, and storage. The company is committed to supporting a variety of customer configurations, acknowledging the transition to the cloud while ensuring on-premises options. Developers are also a focus, with a developer-friendly release approach, tools to increase productivity, and discussions about features like Kubernetes support and data processing enhancements. The Big Quote: " . . we're going back to those some roots, if you will, and looking at what are things that developers really care about? Maybe they're even suffering through. And how can we solve those kinds of problems for them?" Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 21 | Thriving in ChangeThe Big Themes:The power of curiosity: Follow your curiosity. It may not be readily apparent how one activity will connect to another, but you might find unexpected synergy. Christian had no idea that his interest in high-tech lavender farming would actually help his consulting business, but it has deepened his knowledge of ag-tech.Fear has multiple aspects: Fear is ever-present, but can be overcome. Fear may obviate curiosity and keep you on the known path. One aspect of fear is being worried about what other people will think, but this shouldn't dictate your behavior.The courage to say no: To say yes to something, you have to say no to something else. Companies dislike saying no, but it's essential to have the courage to say no to what's not working.The Big Quote: “We should embrace our curiosity, we should satisfy our curiosity, we should feel free to explore, to experience, to learn, and to understand. And that is about people. That is about ideas, that is about practices, that is about processes, that is about businesses, it's about relationships, it's about love... we should embrace our curiosity and never ever, ever... be ashamed of it or... try and squelch it." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

The Big Themes:The current era could be compared to 1995, when there was a lot of hype around the internet. John Doerr said then that the internet was underhyped. Today, AI might be underhyped.In business, there are two types of people, those who are the stewards of the status quo and those who work on the exponential different. The exponential different break the status quo and create new things. Now is the time for the exponential different: an example is Larry Ellison and Oracle.The traditional knowledge worker is in a lot of trouble due to AI, but there are new avenues available to them. They must become creators.The Big Quote: "If a robot can do your job, you need a new job . . . [as someone] who creates net new thinking, creates net new knowledge, who takes existing knowledge, stands on its shoulders, and bring[s] it forward." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 46 | The Profile of the Modern CIOThe Big Themes:Co-creation and business relationships: The relationship between an IT function and a non-IT organization has to build on a foundation of co-creation; IT functions must engage with the business.CIOs are a part of the business: Gone are the days when the role of a CIO was to simply "support the business." The modern CIO is now part of the business and must build parallel connections across all business functions. "We engage at the bottom and we engage at the top," says Wayne.The mindset of the modern CIO: Wayne says he looks for two things in a CIO: ability to listen and curiosity. With the change in the tech landscape and business world, CIOs must not miss an opportunity to learn. Similarly, "if IT folks are talking about technology, versus listening for the business problems, the business opportunities, we're not getting the full value from IT."The Big Quote: "If the CIO cannot sit on the earnings call and explain the earnings to an analyst, if they can't go on a sales call and help the sales department close the deal, if they don't know how we make our money, if they don't know how we sell, and bill, and create and deliver and support, then the modern CIO is disconnected. And that doesn't work. You've got to be in the business. And I've got to be able to serve as a proxy for any other business executive, just like I'd like them to be able to serve as my proxy." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

Episode 30 | Customer Learnings on Software Implementation ProjectsThe Big Themes:Oracle: As it relates to Oracle, customers have expressed on ravenintel.com that a particular challenge was around user acceptance testing (UAT). Specifically, one customer noted to "ensure ample time is built in for UAT and assume there will be errors and fixes that need to be done." Another customer noted that "it's essential that all key stakeholders at the operations level are included."SAP: A top challenge shared by customers who have implemented SAP software is to "challenge assumptions, and do not rely solely on your partner or vendors solution...don't assume the partner always has the right answer." It's critical that if customers don't feel confident in the assumptions being presented by the partner, they challenge it.Workday: Cusotmers have expressed that relating to implementing Workday software, a seasoned project manager is mandatory. From a project perspective, it is critical to have a system integrator (SI) involved who has "earned their stripes" with this specific implementation. Additionally, the leading SI/project manager should have the correct industry expertise, too.The Big Quote: "I think with these three softwares, the nature of them is that they offer a broad set of solutions. So we're not just looking at, you know, a single, you know, stream of implementation. Typically, these implementations are global rollouts with multiple different, you know, product functions, whether it's HCM, financials, supply chain, and things like that. So these are complex implementations that we're evaluating. They're not the, you know, 30 days up and running sort of rapid implementations that smaller software packages have. So I think there's a lot of lessons learned that we can glean from these." Visit Cloud Wars for more.

S/4HANA is a force multiplier: S/4HANA is part of the "next generation of ERP," meaning its intelligent, sustainable, and collaborative. The product is truly a "model A suite of applications," leveraging the best ERP systems have to offer. The company ensures the time-to-market for the product is quick, offers great value to users, and is an overall end-to-end product for customers.Industry-specific business networks: With the S/4HANA Cloud, SAP is able to go beyond helping individual companies adopt industry-specific solutions, and rather, extend these capabilities across entire industries. The notion of connectivity that is embedded in the product makes it a differentiator.Generative AI to enhance productivity: SAP systems are used for the most critical business decisions. When integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI into its products, SAP offers the highest level of trust, responsibility, and reliability in its outcomes. Visit Cloud Wars for more.