870: Innovation is key to becoming a nimble enterprise, and an important way to foster a culture of innovation is to ensure employees have the ability and the forum to share their ideas. In this episode of Technovation, Brett Lansing, Chief Information Officer of AccentCare, shares his insight into how technology, particularly innovations like generative AI, plays a crucial role in enhancing patient services and alleviating the administrative burden on clinicians, and the process behind driving that innovation at the company. He discusses the importance of aligning technology with business strategy, challenging the status quo, and fostering a culture of innovation and employee satisfaction. Brett dives into the Quarterly Ideas Forum he has developed to amplify voices across AccentCare and ensure the company isn’t resting on its laurels. Brett also highlights the significance of cybersecurity in healthcare and shares his experiences and benefits of working in a private equity-owned company. Finally, Brett concludes with the keys to his success and recounts the career development philosophies passed down to him, offering valuable guidance for increasing marketability and succeeding in leadership roles.

Also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/IYTAQ0z-liA

869: The new digital tools available to logistics providers have allowed these companies to reimagine what the network of the future looks like. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Bala Subramanian, Executive Vice President and Chief Digital and Technology Officer at UPS, about how they are using these new tools to become a ‘logistics orchestrator’. They discuss UPS’s role in global logistics and its digital transformation efforts aimed at enhancing customer and employee experiences, and improving organizational agility. Bala shares insights into his background, including his stint as Chief Digital Officer at AT&T, and delves into UPS’s initiatives like creating a digital twin of the network, expanding the use of RFID for package tracking, and developing UPS’s DeliveryDefense to protect against fraud. Additionally, Bala and Peter cover the importance of digital and data fluency, the concept of logistics as a service, and the vision for a network of the future that mimics an IP network’s flexibility. Bala also reflects on the cultural and leadership aspects key to successful digital transformation and other lessons he has learned across his career.

Also available on YouTube:

868: As data becomes increasingly valuable, technology executives have the important task of ensuring the company’s data infrastructure allows for efficiency and scalability. In this episode of Technovation, James Rhodes, President of Morningstar Data Research and Enterprise Solutions and the company’s Chief Technology Officer, joins Peter High in a discussion about modernizing the company’s enterprise architecture and enhancing the client experience with improved personalization. James elaborates on the three hats he wears in his current role at the company and the approach he is taking to modernize legacy systems for scalability and efficiency. He shares insights on driving customer personalization at scale, leveraging AI for better financial advice, and establishing a Responsible AI Council to ensure the company retains its transparency and client trust. James also describes the evolution of their AI-driven digital assistant ‘Mo’ and how it will augment, but not replace, the financial advisor. Finally, James shares the technology trends on his radar including digital avatars for enhancing customer engagement and the advancement of cybersecurity measures, and the keys to success that he’s learned across his career.

Also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/O0VPjY4Eg9A

867: In a global organization, an enterprise architecture that links technology to its everyday users enables IT to better identify and deliver value-added opportunities. In this episode of Technovation, host Peter High interviews Jonathan Webster, the senior managing director and chief operating officer of CPP Investments. Jon discusses his career journey, his experience at Boston Consulting Group and Lloyds Banking Group, and the transition from the CIO role into the COO role. Jon talks about the strategic importance of technology and data in driving investment strategies, the shift towards a product-based technology delivery model, the implementation of a modular architecture, and the potential of generative AI to revolutionize workflows. Jon emphasizes the significance of being software-defined for security, integrating user-centric design, and the necessity of fostering a culture of curiosity, dissatisfaction with the status quo, and thorough understanding within his team. Finally, Jon reflects on the kets to his career success and looks ahead at the trends in generative AI and other technologies.

Also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/2Fffnrj2goM

866: The role of IT within companies is constantly evolving, driven forward by tech sector companies as they propel it into the future. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Intel’s CIO, Motti Finkelstein, about the future of IT and his strategies for preparing the IT organization within Intel to lead this industry-wide evolution. Having transitioned into his role roughly six months ago from serving as the company’s Digital Transformation Officer, Motti elaborates on the various organizations within the broader Intel Corporation and outlines his current focal points, including cloud computing, data center innovations, the Internet of Things, and PC solutions. He shares insights into Intel’s distinctive position as both a product designer and manufacturer and delves into the complexities of his role as a tech-sector CIO. With the recent release of Intel’s IT Annual Report titled ‘The Next Evolution of IT,’ Motti highlights key points from the report, such as the significant role artificial intelligence plays in improving the company’s operational efficiency and the emphasis placed on enhancing the customer experience. The conversation also encompasses Intel’s strides in integrating sustainability into its product design and how sustainability is emerging as a critical focus for IT leaders across sectors. Finally, Motti reflects on his career journey, his motivations for joining Intel at a pivotal moment in its history, and the noteworthy trend of integrating security into software products.

Read the 2023-2024 Intel IT Annual Report:

www.intel.com/ITAnnualReport

Also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/nODyFwt89SM

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This episode is sponsored by Nile.

865: CEOs of major companies serve as both the public face of the organization and pivotal leaders responsible for shaping its strategy and upholding internal values through their actions. In this episode of Technovation, Jim Kavanaugh, co-founder and CEO of World Wide Technology, joins Peter High in a conversation regarding his 34-year leadership tenure at the company and the career path that culminated in his current position. Jim shares his early career journey, playing professional soccer and representing the United States in the 1984 Summer Olympics, and what led him to pivot into technology and co-found WWT in 1990. He reflects on the transition from athlete to entrepreneur, the influence of his upbringing, and the foundational values that have guided his leadership and WWT’s culture. Jim also gives his assessment of the evolution of technology since starting WWT, the strategic pivots the company has made to stay ahead in the industry, and the importance of culture, teamwork, and continuous learning in driving success. Given the rise and current significance of generative AI as a transformative technology, Jim talks about the role this technology plays at the company and how WWT’s Advanced Technology Center explores future tech advancements. Finally, he recounts the lessons he has learned from his remarkable career and offers valuable advice for individuals seeking to level up their leadership within their organizations.

Also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/T6PnxUFIDo0

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This episode is sponsored by Nile.

864: In many cases, companies develop systems with a primary focus on efficiency and begin to address their impacts on the customer late in the process. At BJ’s Wholesale Club, CIO Anjana Harve looks to flip this around with the customer experience in mind at the beginning and end of the process. In this episode of Technovation, Anjana joins Peter in a discussion on improving the digital customer experience at BJ’s Wholesale, optimizing revenue, and boosting efficiency. With extensive experience as a CIO in the healthcare industry, Anjana brings a unique perspective to the retail sector, focusing on customer centricity and the application of technology to serve and improve the member experience at BJ’s. She delves into her strategy for a member-centric architecture that provides a 360-degree view of the customer and fosters hyper-personalization at scale. Finally, Anjana shares her perspective on how companies can uplift and support women in tech, the trends and intersections in technology she keeps her eye on, and the secrets to her continued career success.

Also available on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISE12zJFaGI

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This episode is sponsored by Nile.

863: In the Digital Age, customers rarely distinguish between digital and physical when evaluating the experiences provided by companies. In this episode of Technovation, Tilak Mandadi, Executive Vice President of Ventures and Chief Digital, Data, Analytics, and Technology Officer at CVS Health, joins Peter High in a discussion about how he is driving a consistent and accurate omnichannel experience for customers. Tilak discusses the evolution and current scope of CVS Health, detailing the company’s extensive reach and current integration of physical and digital healthcare services. He reflects on his career journey from MGM Resorts International and Disney to CVS Health and how his prior experiences have informed his view on digital innovation, customer-centricity, and healthcare accessibility. Tilak talks about leading CVS Health Ventures and the organization’s role in fostering innovation and investments in healthcare technology, keeping CVS Health abreast of industry trends, and providing critical assistance to startups through the company’s scale and expertise. Finally, Tilak explains why a one-company mentality is essential for creating better customer experiences, looks ahead at broader technology trends in AI and digital accessibility, and speaks about the personal principles that have guided his career success.

Also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/81VoMuFh9uI

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This episode is sponsored by Nile.

862: Tomorrow’s banking will be unrecognizable to past generations, driven by rapid technological and digital advances in the financial services industry. In this episode of Technovation, Ather Williams III, the Senior EVP and Head of Strategy, Digital, Innovation & Enterprise Payments at Wells Fargo, returns to the broadcast to discuss the progress being made towards providing a comprehensive digital customer experience and the exciting innovations he is driving which leverage the latest tools in artificial intelligence (AI). Ather shares the recent expansion of his role to include the head of enterprise payments and the organizational rationale behind it. He delves into the strategic focus on delivering seamless digital experiences through new digital platforms highlighting initiatives such as the development of Vantage, the bank’s new digital banking platform; the adoption of Fargo, the digital assistant powered by AI; and the deployment of LifeSync, the digital financial advice and planning tool. The conversation also covers Ather’s three major predictions for the future of banking, the company’s strategic approach to digital transformation, and the anticipation of significant generational wealth transfers. Finally, Ather shares insights into his career success, emphasizing the importance of being data-driven, staying customer-focused, and fostering a curious mentality.

Also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/Ri49ihWVUCc

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This episode is sponsored by Nile.

861: Kara Swisher has established herself as one of the tech world’s most influential, recognizable, and ‘feared-but-revered’ journalists. In this episode of Technovation, Peter High speaks with Kara about her remarkable career journey and highlights from her recent book “Burn Book”. Kara reflects on the events from her early life that instilled a sense of resilience and toughness and the impacts they had on her career success. She touches on her military ambitions, the early realization of the limitations imposed on her by her sexual orientation, and how that inspired her to instead pursue journalism. Kara then shares her experiences from her decorated career as a tech journalist interviewing tech giants, developing a critical view of Silicon Valley’s leadership, and learning the role of technology, media, and government regulation in society. Throughout the conversation, Kara sheds light on the impact of technology on societal progression and the continual need for innovation in media.

Learn more about “Burn Book”: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Burn-Book/Kara-Swisher/9781982163891

Also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/L8XH3X5eDvI

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This episode is sponsored by Nile.

860: Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a larger role than ever in every aspect of our lives. From businesses to academia, technology leaders must not only learn how to wield these tools but also how to collaborate with them. In this episode of Technovation, Ethan Mollick, Associate Professor of Management at The Wharton School, discusses insights from his latest book “Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI” and focuses the conversation around the dynamic interplay between humans and artificial intelligence. Ethan begins by reflecting on his early entrepreneurship journey during the internet boom and his eventual pivot into academia pioneering educational methods using AI and simulations at Wharton Interactive. He shares his research on the implications of AI on work and creativity, demystifies common myths around entrepreneurship, and provides a glimpse into an AI-driven future of entrepreneurship. Furthermore, Ethan delves into the ‘Four Rules of Co-Intelligence’ explained in his book, talks through the variety of roles that AI can play ranging from a co-founder to a tutor, and emphasizes the importance of a proactive and experiential approach to integrating AI into educational and professional environments citing its potential challenges and opportunities.

Learn more about the book “Co-Intelligence”: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/741805/co-intelligence-by-ethan-mollick/

This interview was recorded in early March 2024.

Also available on YouTube:

https://youtu.be/ewpjPyZExow

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This episode is sponsored by Nile.