Zinnov Podcast - Business Resilience series

Leadership Traits That Drive Excellence

In this brand new episode of the Zinnov Podcast, Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov, talks to Rick Crandall, Chairman, Donnelley Financial (NYSE-DFIN) and CEO Enterprise Software CEO Roundtable.

The enterprise software industry is currently undergoing a rapid transformation marked by several noteworthy trends. Firstly, the shift towards cloud computing continues to dominate the landscape, with businesses increasingly adopting cloud-based solutions to enhance scalability, flexibility, and accessibility. In parallel, the sudden rise of Generative AI has disrupted workflows and talent decisions. Cybersecurity remains a paramount concern, leading to a growing emphasis on robust security solutions as the threat landscape evolves. Finally, the demand for remote work tools and collaboration platforms persists, reflecting the new normal of distributed workforces. These trends collectively shape the enterprise software industry, emphasizing the importance of agility, innovation, and digital resilience for businesses striving to remain competitive in today's dynamic market.

The episode explores two crucial aspects – how the enterprise software industry is growing, current trends, and how strong leadership traits are the crux of successful organizations and teams.
In today's rapidly changing business environment, leadership is more critical than ever, and enterprise software is at the forefront of innovation and transformation.

Discover how leadership traits such as adaptability, resilience, and innovation are essential to navigate the complexities of the digital age. Discussing the latest opportunities in the enterprise software industry, the leaders uncover what major global trends are shaping the industry, the pulse of Mergers and Acquisitions, and how valuation metrics are evolving.

Whether you're a seasoned executive, a rising star, or just curious about the future of business, the episode offers something for everyone.

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Timestamps

1:12 - How is the enterprise software industry leveraging Generative AI?
2:49 - Do CEOs see Generative AI as a threat or innovation opportunity?
3:57 - Is Generative AI looked at as an opportunity to improve productivity?
6:10 - What can value creation look like in the next few years?
8:40 - What were some of the major themes that emerged out of the Enterprise Software Roundtable?
10:36 - What is the current conversation on talent?
11:47 - Has the rule of 40 changed, for investors that are looking to buy enterprise software?
15:25 - What are some traits that a CEO needs, to navigate uncertain times?
16:37 - What are the traits you see in CEOs who are able to scale their companies?
19:08 - Are we going into an era where we see more product-centric CEOs or sales-centric CEOs?
20:38 - Secrets to building a network that has gone 25 years strong

The Frugal Entrepreneur: Leadership Lessons on Perseverance

“Success in life is not earning too much. Success in life is spending little”
From our extensive conversations with C-suite executives, investors and business leaders over the last 12 months, a key inflection point is how to scale, sustainably. Volatile market conditions, business uncertainty, and global recessionary forces are calling for organizations to think outside the box.
In our latest episode of Zinnov’s Business Resilience, Dr. A. Velumani, Founder of Thyrocare sits down with Nitika Goel, CMO, Zinnov, to expound growth strategies rooted in first principles of passion, perseverance and cultivating the right attitude. The conversation explores how frugality, perseverance and passion can help leapfrog a growth trajectory.

When Dr Arokiaswamy Velumani stepped foot into Mumbai, India in 1982, little did he know he was going to lead a multi-million dollar business in a few years. A poster child of the theory ‘try, try, try, till you succeed’, Dr Velumani highlights the importance of focus and a learning mindset as the pivotal levers to building a world-class empire. More importantly, his anecdotes are a masterclass in how to build anti-fragile organizations through careful cost management on both the operations and customer sides of business. In his words, “Nobody goes out of business for providing cheaper options .”

The Frugal Entrepreneur: Leadership Lessons on Perseverance leaves a lasting impression on how to recalibrate an approach to success by traversing the road less travelled.

 

Timestamps

0:20 – The building blocks of a good leader
2:01 – The core traits needed to imbibe frugality as a mindset
4:45 – How does a leader maintain focus?
8:17 – How do you balance focusing on now, vs later?
10:20 – How to stay inventive, frugal, disruptive, and focused
12:42 – Dealing with irrelevance
14:43 – Why storytelling is important

Delivering Next-Gen Customer Experience: Leveraging Technology For A New World Order

 

In our newest episode of the Business Resilience series, Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov speaks with Shankar Arumugavelu, SVP & Chief Digital & Information Officer, Verizon Communications Inc., to unravel the strategies, technologies, and innovations that the Telecom giant is using to cater to the modern consumer. With Gen Z characteristic traits such as voracious appetite for seamless connectivity, personalized experiences, and instant gratification pushing today’s businesses to new heights, it is also prompting never-before-seen experiences, and a round-the-clock customer service experience.

 

From 5G’s transformative potential to the integration of AI and IOT, the conversation explores the dynamic landscape where the Telecom industry is not just keeping up with the changes, but actively reshaping the future. This engaging discussion with an industry pioneer dissects the pivotal role of customer-centricity in driving this evolution. The two leaders discuss how Telecom companies are reimagining their service offerings, deploying chatbots and virtual assistants to enhance customer support, and leveraging Data Analytics to tailor solutions that predict and meet individual needs.

 

The episode also touches upon AI and ethics – how data can be relooked at with a more inclusive, and socially aware lens, and why it should be a key area of focus, when tailoring to customer expectations. Using anecdotes and active use cases, Shankar shares how the Telecom sector is ingeniously navigating uncharted waters. He also touches upon Verizon’s current solutions that leverage digital touchpoints, embrace and foster innovation to exceed customer expectations. Whether you’re a tech aficionado, a business leader, or simply intrigued by the evolution of customer service, this episode promises a front-row seat to witness the Telecom industry’s incredible journey toward satisfying the demands of the new-age customer.

1:12 - How are technology trends shaping customer experience for Gen Z consumers?
7:05 - How is Verizon implementing Gen AI?
10:31 - How does automation play a part in customer service?
12:27 - Automation and incorporating human empathy
15:38 - Biases and inclusivity in Digital Twins
17:54 - CIO priorities during a rapid technology evolution
21:13 - Rapidfire round

 

Read the full transcript here: https://zinnov.com/podcasts/business-resilience/shaping-next-gen-customer-experiences-podcast/

 

The Agile CXO: Navigating Disruptions In A Dynamic World

In this episode of the Zinnov Podcast, Rajat Kohli, Partner, Zinnov, and Rani Pangam, Vice President, Strategy Realization Office, ServiceNow, explore the intricacies of leading successful transformations. Join us as we delve into a wealth of knowledge, experiences, and practical strategies that can revolutionize your approach to change.
With her  diverse background and expertise right from law to MIS, Rani provides a comprehensive view of change management, in any set up. Rani and Rajat  discuss the importance of understanding human psychology, aligning stakeholders, and creating a supportive environment to navigate the challenges of change successfully – alongside technology. Drawing from her extensive experiences, Rani provides practical strategies using real-world examples that leaders can apply in their own organizations. 
From leading cultural transformations to managing resistance, Rani and Rajat talk about critical factors that contribute to effective change management. The conversation provides a deep understanding of the importance of leadership, communication, and empathy in driving successful organizational change.
Whether you’re a change management professional, a leader responsible for driving change, or simply curious about the dynamics of change in organizations – large and small, this episode is a must-listen. 

The AI Paradox: Between Human Compatibility And Empathy

As we witness rapid advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation, the concept of intelligent bots wielding unprecedented power becomes an intriguing prospect. Will these machines, equipped with ever-evolving capabilities, surpass human intelligence and ultimately dominate our society? The notion may seem like science fiction, but as technology continues to reshape our world and advance at warp speed, it is essential to explore the possibilities, ponder the ethical implications, and navigate the path ahead with caution and foresight.

In this thought-provoking episode of our podcast, we delve into the fascinating realm of AI and explore the profound implications of AI bots becoming increasingly smarter, more efficient, and eventually developing the capacity to experience emotions.

Chetan Dube, Founder & CEO Amelia, and Lanham Napier, President, Amelia, talk to Pari Natarajan, CEO at Zinnov, about the evolution of AI bots and their potential impact on human productivity. With insights and captivating anecdotes, this episode explores how AI will soon become a way of life, replacing human functions as we know them today.

What does AI really mean for us, as a human workforce? Chetan and Lanham offer diverse perspectives on the capabilities of an AI worker, drawing from psychology, neuroscience, and AI ethics, as they delve into the complexities of human-like emotions in machines, powered by AI.

Timestamps
2:39 – The implications of Generative AI on Amelia
6:32 – How Amelia is keeping up with disruptions
9:09 – How technology can solve problems while building customer relationships
13:17 – How AI will play a role in the future of SMBs
17:17 – What is the technology evolution required for the world to see digital employees?
21:20 – How is Amelia thinking about catering to different verticals?
23:39 – The role of partnerships in building vertical expertise
24:48 – AI and ethics
27:29 – Making AI global ethics-compliant
29:53 – The future of Amelia

The Transformative Force of Technology in the Gig Revolution

A recent joint whitepaper by Zinnov and Microsoft, noted that 70% of CXOs felt that seamless onboarding and execution can be hampered by inadequate cloud technology infrastructure.
In this conversation with Rajat Kohli, Partner at Zinnov, Bhaskar Basu, Country Head – Modern Work, Microsoft India, delves deep into the dynamic world of the gig workforce and explores how technology helps overcome the numerous digital hurdles that gig workers encounter. The two leaders also discuss how technologies can enable widespread adoption of gig economy, especially in light of the talent dichotomy that enterprises are grappling with – layoffs on one hand, skilled talent shortage on the other.

Bhaskar also talks about how companies can address gig worker challenges and explore new opportunities. The episode sheds light on the practical applications of emerging technologies, offering valuable advice on how enterprises can leverage these tools to optimize their workforce, streamline operations, and augment their overall talent strategy.
Addressing how the workplace today is hybrid in all aspects, Bhaskar and Rajat discuss the potential of apps and tools that enable gig workers to manage their workflow, track time and expenses, communicate with clients, and receive payments seamlessly.

In an age where rehiring and gig workers are becoming increasingly common, and ChatGPT is becoming much more prevalent, the role technology has to play in supplementing a workforce will become crucial. Tune in to discover the endless possibilities that technology offers to transform the gig work experience.

The Power of the Brain in the Autonomous Enterprise

The ‘centralized brain’ in the context of an Autonomous Enterprise refers to a centralized system or platform that serves as the core intelligence and decision-making hub for the organization. It draws inspiration from the human brain, which acts as the central command center for processing information, making decisions, and coordinating various functions.

In the context of an Autonomous Enterprise, the centralized brain typically involves leveraging advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Data Analytics to collect, process, and analyze vast amounts of data from various sources. But what is the importance of a centralized decision-making system compared to a human being?

In this podcast episode, Alan Trefler, Founder & CEO of Pegasystems, discusses the evolution of digital transformation and the vision for the future of enterprises with Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov.
Their conversation reflects on the progress made in digital infrastructure over the past decade, such as Cloud infrastructure, data layers, and advancements in technology. Alan goes on to talk about the need for a centralized brain in enterprise systems to replace the existing decentralized approach, which is scattered across various channels and systems. Alan and Pari also discuss how technologies such as Intelligent Automation are critical to build Autonomous Enterprises, where human involvement is centered around empathy rather than merely running processes. The episode also touches on the role of Pegasystems in serving both legacy enterprises and digital-native companies, emphasizing the significance of having a centralized brain for effective orchestration.
Is a paradigm shift in enterprise systems towards a more intelligent, automated, and centralized approach the need of the hour to drive digital transformation? Find out more in this exciting episode.

AI for the Planet, People, and Profit

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the transformative power to change how businesses across verticals are run. And its newest avatar – Generative AI – stands at the forefront of the technological revolution, offering unprecedented opportunities for innovation and creativity. By harnessing the potential of advanced Machine Learning (ML) algorithms, generative AI has emerged as a game-changing force, pushing the boundaries of what was once considered possible. Today, we find ourselves in an era where machines can not only understand and analyze data but also generate new, original content, sparking a paradigm shift in diverse sectors.

In this episode of the Zinnov Podcast, Pari Natarajan, CEO, Zinnov sits down with James E Heppelmann, CEO, PTC, to explore the effects of AI on physical design. James goes on to explains how AI and ML are already being used in products such as Predictive Analytics, 3D Generative technology, and Computer Vision.

Whether Generative AI is ethical or not, emerges a key theme in the episode. After its recent success, ChatGPT emerged as not only a great tool to reduce human effort, but also is a great enhancer of product design, when used as a learning mechanism.

The two leaders also discuss the impact of Generative AI on various industries and its potential to transform the role of Marketing, Sales, and Software Development . They also explore how AI can enhance the design of physical products, particularly from a sustainability lens.
Jim emphasizes the importance of considering the entire product lifecycle and how AI can contribute to dematerialization, regeneration of designs using greener materials, and improving energy consumption.

Tune into this episode to understand the potential of AI in revolutionizing product design and its implications for sustainability and productivity.

The Art of Possible - Powering Growth Through Partnerships

Following our series on how Partnership are the key to business growth and success, Rajat Kohli, Partner, Zinnov, speaks to Alyssa Fitzpatrick, Vice President and General Manager, Sales and Marketing Group and Software and Services Partners at Intel in our next episode. In this episode, Alyssa covers how Partnerships can grow businesses by increasing the reach and availability of companies across regions.

Rajat and Alyssa talk about how creating a robust, detailed partnering strategy can not only create goodwill, but helps cultivate an ecosystem, and a collaborative mindset. She emphasizes on how data helps companies carve out their product placement, within partner programs.

Speaking about the larger community of partners, Alyssa shares her vision on how software companies can all grow, with a more synergetic agenda. Using anecdotes from her 30-year journey, Alyssa compares companies of today with those of decades ago, to describe how the partnership model has evolved, and how it can be made even more effective with data, concrete measurement metrics and a rooting of trust.

Revving up Industrial Innovation For The Next Decade

The Industrial sector has been at the forefront of some incredible innovations, that have charted the course for the upcoming decade. From Artificial Intelligence (AI), Metaverse, Augmented Reality, Mixed Reality, Quantum Computing, etc., transforming how operations are run, industrial companies are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to be leaders in technology innovations.

With over 25 years of experience in research and development, Suresh Venkatarayalu, CTO, Honeywell has been instrumental in driving Honeywell’s technology transformation. In this episode, Pari Natarajan, CEO of Zinnov, sits down with Suresh to explore how digital technologies such as the Internet of Things (IOT) and AI, and Quantum Computing are transforming the industrial sector.

As industries become increasingly interconnected, they need to become more efficient and resilient. Suresh shares how Honeywell is leveraging digital technologies to optimize operations, reduce costs, and increase productivity in the Industrial sector. The two leaders also discuss the technologies that will drive innovation and transform how industrial companies operate.

The episode also explores the impact of digital transformation on sustainability in the Industrial sector. As part of its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2035, Honeywell is using digital technologies to help its customers reduce their carbon footprint and meet their sustainability goals.

Whether you are an industrial professional or a technology enthusiast, this podcast is for you. Listen to this episode to explore the exciting world of digital transformation in the Industrial sector with one of the industry’s foremost leaders.