IT Visionaries

Moving to the cloud is nothing new — but doing it efficiently is still tough. Brantley Richbourg is the Principal Technical Consultant of Cloud Networking at AHEAD, and it’s his job to help companies navigate their journey to the cloud. On this episode, he describes some of the reasons companies are looking to make the move and the challenges they face along the way. Plus he explains where and how generative AI is playing a role and why innovation might not be the driving force behind customer decision making. 

Tune in to learn:

• What is Ahead? (1:32)
• Finally solving the problems with moving to the cloud (5:40)
• Integrating cloud systems and hybrid clouds (11:30)
• The role of generative AI (16:35)
• Why the cloud is not about saving money (30:00)
• How Ahead is working with clients (36:15)
• How to win at sales (38:38)
• The timeline for adopting new infrastructure (44:20)
• Predicting the next big thing (50:00)

Mentions:

• Brantley’s first appearance on IT Visionaries

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Did you know that less than half of IT leaders feel their network infrastructure is ready to make the best use of emerging technologies?  Zayo, a leading global communications infrastructure provider, empowers some of the world’s most innovative companies to take advantage of next generation technologies with the help of reliable, resilient network infrastructure. Read their research paper, IT Confidential, to gain valuable insights from IT leaders. 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at 

mission.org

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Whether you realize it or not, there’s an extremely good chance that you have interacted with PAR Technology. This brand powers payment systems, loyalty apps, and more for some of the biggest restaurant brands around, including Five Guys, Sweet Green, Arby’s, and thousands more. Raju Malhotra is the Chief Product & Technology Officer at PAR Technology, and on this episode, he explains how PAR implements its technology to make the restaurant experience seamless for both the workers and the diners.

Tune in to learn:

• What is PAR Technology? (1:00)
• Why big brands choose PAR (2:00)
• The need to be flexible with different infrastructures (5:00)
• Blending the hardware and software components clients need (9:00)
• How to decide what to build (13:00)
• The rise of third parties and the challenge of integration (26:00)

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Zayo connects critical data centers across the US, Canada, and Europe with high-capacity metro fiber and extensive long-haul dark fiber. Trusted by the world's most innovative companies, Zayo embodies what's next in networking.

Discover Zayo’s expansive network maps on their website and see where their network can take you. With low-latency, reliable, 400G and 800G-enabled routes, it's the modern network solution you've been searching for.

Visit Zayo's website today to unlock the power of your network and tap into the technologies of tomorrow. Go to Zayo.com/network now.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

In business and technology, speed is key. This is especially true in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), where seconds matter to all the innovators submitting patent applications. In this episode, Jamie Holcombe, CIO of the USPTO, explains how his team is using new technology and working faster on a network that will keep up with the products and technologies inventors are hoping to bring to market. 

Tune in to learn:

• What is the USPTO? (1:20)
• How new technology is used to help evaluate patent applications (6:30)
• The importance of having a reliable and fast network (16:30)
• Cybersecurity at the USPTO (21:25)

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Zayo connects critical data centers across the US, Canada, and Europe with high-capacity metro fiber and extensive long-haul dark fiber. Trusted by the world's most innovative companies, Zayo embodies what's next in networking.

Discover Zayo’s expansive network maps on their website and see where their network can take you. With low-latency, reliable, 400G and 800G-enabled routes, it's the modern network solution you've been searching for.

Visit Zayo's website today to unlock the power of your network and tap into the technologies of tomorrow. Go to Zayo.com/network now.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

There is no doubt that the world is more connected now than ever before, but there are still places and people who lack access to the internet. In this episode, hear why this is one of the things that Mattias Fridström and the team at Arelion is trying to fix. Also, hear how they are working to make the internet faster and more secure at the same time. 

Tune in to learn:

• What is Arelion? (1:10)
• The push for innovation (3:00)
• What is going on at the edge? (7:40)
• How to be more proactive in your security (9:40)
• Data storage and compliance (16:30)
• Building solutions for customers (21:05)
• Mattias’s love of networks (28:00)

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Zayo connects critical data centers across the US, Canada, and Europe with high-capacity metro fiber and extensive long-haul dark fiber. Trusted by the world's most innovative companies, Zayo embodies what's next in networking.

Discover Zayo’s expansive network maps on their website and see where their network can take you. With low-latency, reliable, 400G and 800G-enabled routes, it's the modern network solution you've been searching for.

Visit Zayo's website today to unlock the power of your network and tap into the technologies of tomorrow. Go to Zayo.com/network now.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

NTT Data is a major company that works on large-scale projects every day. But CIO Barry Shurkey is constantly encouraging his team to get better and stay innovative. On this episode, he explains why he put so much trust in solution architects, and how he sees and helps companies and tech leaders adapt to the changing technology landscape.  

Tune in to learn:

• What is NTT Data? (1:10)
• How major projects start (3:00)
• What it takes to integrate your systems (7:00)
• The current constraints companies are facing with hardware and software (13:50)
• The newest problems businesses face while undergoing digital transformation (22:50)
• The dream product we wish existed (25:50)
• What the adoption of AI means for the tech industry (29:00)
• How to balance your team (31:10)
• What technology shifts can we expect in the next five to 10 years? (35:00)

Mentions:

• Justin Mescher episode of IT Visionaries

Did you know that less than half of IT leaders feel their network infrastructure is ready to make the best use of emerging technologies?  Zayo, a leading global communications infrastructure provider, empowers some of the world’s most innovative companies to take advantage of next generation technologies with the help of reliable, resilient network infrastructure. Read their research paper, IT Confidential, to gain valuable insights from IT leaders. 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

In today’s world, technology is a part of almost everything we do. It’s constantly evolving, but even in the realm of cybersecurity, there are limits to what technology can do without the help of hardworking humans. Whether it’s laying wire for networks or understanding systems and codes, David Monnier, CIO of Team Cymru, explains how and where technology and humans will always need to come together.     

Tune in to learn:

• What is Team Cymru? (1:25)
• What is changing right now in the cybersecurity category? (2:40)
• How tech leaders should evaluate new products (10:00)
• The reason why technology is not always a silver bullet (19:00)
• How Team Cymru has been able to expand worldwide (23:30)
• Where we’re seeing the most cyber threats (27:20)
• How to keep your team in a learning mode (31:20)
• Finding the right people for your team (36:30)

Mentions:

• David’s first appearance on IT Visionaries

Did you know that less than half of IT leaders feel their network infrastructure is ready to make the best use of emerging technologies?  Zayo, a leading global communications infrastructure provider, empowers some of the world’s most innovative companies to take advantage of next generation technologies with the help of reliable, resilient network infrastructure. Read their research paper, IT Confidential, to gain valuable insights from IT leaders. 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

We're taking a quick pause for the summer, but we'll be back soon with more new and exciting content!

Medical transportation is sometimes necessary, but the operations and companies responsible for making it happen have remained relatively stagnant. This is where DocGo comes in. On this episode, Hawk Newton, the CTO of DocGo, explains how the company is solving the extremely difficult task of medical transportation, and making the entire experience easier for all involved. 

Tune in to learn:

• What is DocGo? (1:40)
• How can medical transportation performance improve? (5:45)
• Solving the extremely hard problem that is medical transportation (14:30)
• Finding the next wave of engineers (20:30)

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IT Visionaries is sponsored by Zayo.

Concerned about your network's health? Zayo's future-ready network and tailored connectivity solutions enable some of the world’s most innovative companies to connect what’s next for their business. Exceptional end-user experiences and better business outcomes demand one thing – a strong, healthy network. So, how’s your network health? There’s one way to find out – take Zayo’s Network Health Check now. https://zayo.is/3ztMpIu

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Ultimately, most of what we do in business today relies on data of all kinds. In the last decade or so, the rise in unstructured data has meant that companies need to find ways to store and then use that data in ways they hadn’t needed to before. On this episode of IT Visionaries, Brian Pawlowski, Chief Development Officer, of Quantum, discusses what that means and how data storage has evolved. 

Tune in to learn:

• What is Quantum (2:00)
• What it means to store unstructured data (4:00)
• Why all storage is software (15:15)
• Meeting customer demands while dealing with physical limitations (31:00)
• Understanding why data is mobile and how to manage its infrastructure (37:40)

Zayo's future-ready network and tailored connectivity solutions enable some of the world’s most innovative companies to connect what’s next for their business. Exceptional end-user experiences and better business outcomes demand one thing – a strong, healthy network. How’s your network health? There’s one way to find out – take Zayo’s Network Health Check now. https://zayo.is/3ztMpIu

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Cybersecurity is a world that is constantly evolving, and experts like Vishal Salvi, CISO & Head of Cyber Practice at Infosys, are doing their best to keep up. On this episode, Vishal discusses how to prioritize your cybersecurity needs, and he breaks down some of the ways that AI will play a role in cybersecurity moving forward. 

Tune in to learn:

• What is Infosys? (2:00)
• The complexity of what Infosys does (6:00)
• What to prioritize with your cybersecurity (9:30)
• The conflict between security and speed (13:55)
• What it takes to move data loads today (17:40)
• The rise of identity-access AI (22:00)
• Where are we with AI ops? (29:40)
• Vishal’s journey in IT (34:50)

Zayo's future-ready network and tailored connectivity solutions enable some of the world’s most innovative companies to connect what’s next for their business. Exceptional end-user experiences and better business outcomes demand one thing – a strong, healthy network. How’s your network health? There’s one way to find out – take Zayo’s Network Health Check now. https://zayo.is/3ztMpIu

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Cybersecurity has moved from a luxury to a necessity for pretty much every business. But still, many organizations are operating in a reactive rather than a proactive fashion when it comes to securing their networks. Adam Burke, VP Sales & Partnerships, Quest Technology Management, explains why this is and how to change your mindset and operate in a more secure fashion. 

Tune in to learn:

• What is Quest Technology? (1:45)
• The security needed to work in the cloud (5:10)
• Recommendations for organizations to address potential security concerns (11:45)
• Finding the right person to protect your infrastructure (19:30)
• How to choose the right third-party to help with cybersecurity (22:30)
• How Adam got his tech chops (25:55)
• The impact of AI in tracking cybersecurity activity (32:20)
• How fast Quest can help a customer in need (39:20)
• The benefits of military service for a tech professional (41:00)

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Zayo's future-ready network and tailored connectivity solutions enable some of the world’s most innovative companies to connect what’s next for their business. Exceptional end-user experiences and better business outcomes demand one thing – a strong, healthy network. How’s your network health? There’s one way to find out – take Zayo’s Network Health Check now. https://zayo.is/3ztMpIu

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Our energy infrastructure is going through major changes. The population is looking for more efficiency and cleaner options, and Stem, Inc. is helping to deliver those solutions. Albert Hofeldt, SVP of Technology at Stem, joins IT Visionaries to describe the work his team is doing, and what the future of energy might look like.

Tune in to learn:

• What is Stem? (2:00)
• Dissecting the distribution of energy (5:12)
• What Stem-collected data unlocks (16:09)
• Who is leading the charge in updating energy infrastructure? (20:40)
• How Albert landed at Stem (25:40)
• The changes coming to the energy sector (28:30)
• Creating more infrastructure for long-haul driving with EVs (32:00)

Mentions:

• Librestream episode of IT Visionaries

Zayo's future-ready network and tailored connectivity solutions enable some of the world’s most innovative companies to connect what’s next for their business. Exceptional end-user experiences and better business outcomes demand one thing – a strong, healthy network. How’s your network health? There’s one way to find out – take Zayo’s Network Health Check now. https://zayo.is/3ztMpIu

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

With the technology landscape shifting at a rapid pace, it’s nearly impossible to keep up. But that’s the job of Kit Colbert, the CTO of VMware, and he is constantly learning from and leading his team so that they can best serve the needs of their customers. On this episode, Kit explains what that looks like and how the world of public and private clouds, the edge, and infrastructure are constantly changing.

Tune in to learn:

• What is VMware? (1:40)
• How to service the appetites of customers today (6:45)
• Thinking through levels of orchestration (14:30)
• Where is the industry when it comes to shifting its models? (22:44)
• The role VMware will play in network security (26:40)
• How growing companies solve network and infrastructure weaknesses (30:45)
• Defining and predicting the future of the edge (36:00)
• The philosophy of continuous learning (41:45)
• Advice to CTOs expanding their networks and getting answers they need (45:00)

Zayo's future-ready network and tailored connectivity solutions enable some of the world’s most innovative companies to connect what’s next for their business. Exceptional end-user experiences and better business outcomes demand one thing – a strong, healthy network. How’s your network health? There’s one way to find out – take Zayo’s Network Health Check now. https://zayo.is/3ztMpIu

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Healthcare technology has frequently been lambasted as being behind the times. The reason is because hospitals and healthcare providers are operating on lagging networks and with outdated technology. Derek Grimes, the SVP of Operations at Frontage Clinical Services explains what it will take to get our healthcare systems to work better for all patients, and he gives us some insights into the ways technology is currently being used to improve our experiences. 

Tune in to learn:

• Understanding the need for CROs (2:45)
• The technological landscape needed to operate clinical trials (5:10)
• How are healthcare systems improving? (12:15)
• What is stopping us from demanding more from healthcare providers? (18:30)
• Solving the Interoperability problem in healthcare (30:00)
• Advice for practitioners on where to modernize right now (37:45)

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Zayo's future-ready network and tailored connectivity solutions enable some of the world’s most innovative companies to connect what’s next for their business. Exceptional end-user experiences and better business outcomes demand one thing – a strong, healthy network. How’s your network health? There’s one way to find out – take Zayo’s Network Health Check now. https://zayo.is/3ztMpIu

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Without a doubt, technology has been a game changer in just about every industry. And as tech continues to evolve, it is being used in more innovative ways, even in places that typically have trouble with network connectivity. Librestream is helping to make that happen, and on this episode of IT Visionaries, Chief Customer Officer Charlie Neagoy explains how.  

Tune in to learn:

• What is Librestream? (3:00)
• Getting information to workers in all kinds of places (9:15)
• Defining augmented reality (17:00)
• When and how new technology is implemented in the field (21:30)
• How to approach customers with limitations around access to technology (26:00)
• Can you train to be a pilot from your desk? (35:00)

Zayo’s future-ready network and tailored connectivity solutions enable some of the world’s most innovative companies to connect what’s next for their business. Exceptional end-user experiences and better business outcomes demand one thing – a strong, healthy network. How’s your network health? There’s one way to find out – take Zayo’s Network Health Check now. https://zayo.is/3ztMpIu

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Network infrastructure is important if you want your organization to run smoothly and without interruption. From hospitals to supply chains to government agencies, there are countless examples that illustrate just how critical network infrastructure can be. ePlus works to create better cloud infrastructure solutions for its customers to ensure they can perform their important roles. On this episode, Justin Mescher, the Vice President of Cloud Solutions of ePlus, shares more about the way that his team collaborates to give clients the network speed and redundancy they need, while also providing them with new cutting-edge solutions. 

Tune in to learn:

• The industries ePlus services (2:15)
• How speed plays a role in the architecture of consumer applications (5:00)
• Leveraging automation to allow for speed and standardization (7:00)
• Thinking through the levels of redundancy you need in critical industries (10:20)
• Working with clients to keep them informed and on the cutting edge (16:00)
• Building teams that can keep up with the pace of change (19:40)
• Justin’s personal journey in the technology field (22:45)
• Developing your communication skills (26:10)
• Deciding to specialize or generalize (27:35)

Bio:

Justin Mescher, Vice President of Cloud and Data Center Solutions for ePlus, leads overall strategy and go-to-market for both the Cloud and Data Center practices as part of ePlus’ Global Strategy Team.  He started his career in corporate IT, managing a hospital’s data center, then expanded his experience as a Pre-sales Engineer at EMC and then CTO for IDS, where he led the engineering team and developed the cloud practice. After IDS was acquired by ePlus in 2017, he has served in his current role, utilizing and leveraging his expertise in cloud strategy, design, implementation, migration, and managed services to grow the Data Center and Cloud practices for ePlus. Justin spends his time meeting with strategic customers, discussing their journey to the cloud, and developing new solutions within the ePlus portfolio to align with customer needs.

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Zayo's future-ready network and tailored connectivity solutions enable some of the world’s most innovative companies to connect what’s next for their business. Exceptional end-user experiences and better business outcomes demand one thing – a strong, healthy network. How’s your network health? There’s one way to find out – take Zayo’s Network Health Check now. https://zayo.is/3ztMpIu

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

In order to better prepare for the next season, IT Visionaries is taking a short break! After four years of continuous production, we’re hitting pause in order to reassess and reexamine the program. We love learning more about how technology impacts fields outside of software, such as aviation, healthcare, and the environment. But we’re open to everything! If you have any suggestions for guests, industries, and topics to cover, send them our way! And in the meantime, stay tuned for updates.

Mentions: 

• Mission Daily - https://mission.org/mission-daily/

Buying residential real estate is typically mired down in paperwork, presenting a difficult experience for consumers. But technology is currently changing this burdensome process for buyers and sellers alike. Our guest, Raji Subramanian, CTO of Opendoor, explains how the company’s platform addresses all aspects of the process (and the business behind it) by putting customer needs and the company’s core principles front-of-mind in every transaction.

Tune in to learn:

• How Opendoor touches every aspect of buying and selling homes (4:40)
• Addressing and overcoming homebuyer pain points  (11:30)
• Leveraging technology for home assessment (21:10)
• Opendoor’s core leadership philosophy (29:11)

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

The need for a company to act quickly and scale efficiently is imperative when a global crisis is at hand. Fortunately, prior to the pandemic, the leadership at Pfizer had already been laying the groundwork for digital transformation with the help of Lidia Fonseca. When the demands grew, the company was prepared to scale, allowing it to bring desperately needed help to the world. 

Tune in to learn:

• Pfizer’s tactic of increasing scaleability by creating a CTO role. (01:40) 
• Building a strong culture as a foundation before the pandemic (8:14)
• The personal toll of the COVID-19 pandemic on Lidia. (14:12)
• Leadership advice in time of crisis (21:00)
• The exponential future impact of technology in healthcare (26:29)

Mentions:

• Jim Collins, Good to Great

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org

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What does success now look like for business leaders as economic shifts keep us all guessing? Thomas Cozzolino, Senior Director of Competitive Strategy at Salesforce, joins us to help discover the answers to this question as a special co-host in the Success Now Mini Series. 

Solutions for cost reduction, increased efficiency, rapid ROI, and lightning-fast time to value are top of mind for many of today’s business leaders. Setting a prime example, Amazon is ever-innovating; and today we get to hear more about what this looks like for Mark Chien, General Manager of CRM Platform, AWS Sales, Marketing, and Global Services.

Tune in to learn:

• What is the Success Now Miniseries all about (03:45)
• Importance of data quality at AWS (7:10)
• Culture of Build vs Buy at AWS (9:10)
• Amazon’s continuing journey of reducing costs and time to value while increasing efficiency and ROI (18:00)
• Best practices for using and implementing Salesforce (33:55)
• Lightning Round (40:40)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Researcher Alan Kay is widely credited for saying, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” Our guest Brian Woodring, CIO of Rocket Companies concurs, as he is part of a company that is currently trying to define the future of mortgages. Working with Salesforce, his organization is continually trying (and learning from) innovative ways to reduce costs, increase efficiency, and generate ROI. Hear how Brian and his team may not have a “master plan” but still succeed through discovery, feedback, and a consistent focus on customers.

Tune in to learn:

• Why there’s no “master plan” for growth in IT businesses (5:00)
• How did Rocket measure the progress of its digital transformation (14:45)
• The differences between an OKR and a key result (25:14)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Cybersecurity, like so many other industries, is based on connections. Not just to countless endpoints, but also connection to the people behind the data. In this edition of IT Visionaries, guests Taher Elgamal from Salesforce, and Mike Sentonas from Crowdstrike share their perspectives on why practical communication still matters, even for the most intricate data security challenges.  

Tune in to learn:

• The benefits of the Crowdstrike Salesforce partnership (2:30)
• How to protect data by securing all endpoints (6:20)
• How companies should approach security investments for 2023 (17:30)
• Tips for solving the cybersecurity skills gap (26:35)

Mentions:

• Cybersecurity Learning Hub - Trailhead
• https://bit.ly/3EytgZE
• CrowdStrike University: https://www.crowdstrike.com/crowdstrike-university/
• NextGen Scholarships: https://www.crowdstrike.com/about-crowdstrike/nextgen-scholarship-program/

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org

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 Women are still largely underrepresented in the tech workforce. To combat barriers for women, Alaina Percival, CEO of Women Who Code, shares how the organization tackles bias in the tech industry by providing a platform for women to succeed without limitation. Tune in to learn why the growth of women in tech is vital for industry success, and how Women Who Code is bridging the gap for a more equitable future in tech leadership. 

Tune in to learn:

• Why women are underrepresented in the tech field (07:00)
• What advice Women Who Code has for breaking the barriers around becoming a tech leader (14:45)
• About investing in yourself and your skills in an economic downturn (27:22)

Mentions:

• Harlan Coben, New York Times Best Selling Author

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

The primary goal of cybersecurity is human safety. Even if high-tech isn’t typically equated with healthcare, Cindi Carter, Global CISO of Check Point Software Technologies, explains why it should be. 

Tune in to learn:

• Why high-tech is imperative for healthcare (3:37)
• The vulnerability of medical records (08:40)
• Healthcare cybersecurity predictions for 2023-24 (30:27)
• The “human factor” of cybersecurity (37:00)

Mentions:

• HIMSS Cybersecurity in Healthcare
• Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of Antifragile
• CISSP certification
• Cybertalk

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

How did one of the world’s biggest bureaucracies successfully develop a sleek, efficient, and user-friendly online benefits experience for veterans? Today’s guest, Charles Worthington, CTO of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shares how he applied a tech startup mentality to help make the VA’s services more accessible to our nation’s finest, and why he hopes to spark a “tradition of public service” in the tech industry.

Tune in to learn:

• An overview of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ digital services (2:55)
• The effort to rebuild the VA website (5:00)
• How the VA mobile app was launched (12:551)
• The state of tech in the public sector   (28:50)

Mentions:

• VA: Health and Benefits (App)
• Presidential Innovation Fellows
• United States Digital Service
• Careers - DigitalVA - Veterans Affairs

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

How has finding the perfect solution for physical office spaces evolved since hybrid working has become more prevalent? James Quinn, Executive Managing Director at JLL, shares how the company analyzes the aspirations and layouts of businesses to provide the best option for building or buying a physical office space that accommodates hybrid and in-person companies. Tune in to learn more about how JLL incorporates sustainable options as well as technological advancements into its plans for the companies it partners with. 

Tune in to learn:

• How the market shift is affecting JLL and what it offers (01:20)
• What JLL does to curate the perfect space for a company (08:50)
• About the first steps of building within sustainability (11:57)
• How Beacon Of Hope 365 inspires Jim to focus on the positives of technology (22:48)

Mentions:

• Elon Musk, CEO of Twitter and Tesla
• Twitter
• “Is Hybrid Work Killing Remote Summer? Yes, but It Doesn’t Have To” article by Katherine Bindley for Wall Street Journal featuring American Express.
• Isaac Sacolick ITV episode  (17:37)
• Oracle Careers
• Open Bionics 
• Beacon of Hope 365
• Apple 
• NASA 
• “Tech Trends 24/7 and the Impact of Covid-19” by James P. Quinn
• “How to Operate Section Eight Properties” by Albert Chou (unreleased)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

On this special end-of-year crossover episode, the hosts from Up Next in Commerce, Marketing Trends, and IT Visionaries meet up again to discuss their biggest takeaways from their guests over the past year, and to make some predictions for what should be an exciting 2023 in marketing, tech, and ecommerce.

Tune in to learn:

• Why your employees are your greatest customers (8:43)
• Why good business instincts can help overcome a lack of data (14:43)
• Why intuition matters, even in data-driven industries (20:47)

Mentions:

• David Ting, Zenni
• David Heinemeier Hansson, 37signals
• Stephanie Dobbs Brown, CMO, Intercontinental Exchange
• Lil’ Wayne
• Kevin Warren, UPS
• Eric Toda, Meta

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

The problem-solving prowess of the IT leaders we meet has inspired and motivated us all year. The guests we’ve featured in 2022 have shared their strategies for cutting costs to their businesses through technology and effective leadership. They’ve shown us new tools, software, and philosophies that make the world a better place. From healthcare and education to business and sustainability, their innovation continues to carve a clear path for future success. These are just a few of our favorite segments from the 100+ interviews we held this past year.  

Tune in to learn:

• How low-code innovation is empowering Pacific Clinics to increase efficiency (02:20)
• How Tableau saved the Seattle Seahawks time and money with their tech (07:31)
• Effective scaling for technology teams (27:49)
• Creating sustainable power with new tech (31:57)

Mentions:

• How Legends of Low-Code Brought Magical Solutions to Pacific Clinics
• Watch: Legends of Low-Code on Salesforce Plus
• Championing the Prospective Customer With David Heinemeier Hansson
• Mining the Golden Age of Data with Tableau’s CEO 
• Monetize Your Knowledge
• Albert’s Kajabi Course on Investing
• Innovating at the Cutting Edge of Ad Technology
• Making Reproductive Healthcare Accessible with SimpleHealth
• How Deel Makes Empowering an International Workforce Easier
• Removing Latency Byte by Byte with Zayo Group  
• Respect All Your Clients’ Dreams Equally 
• How to Be a Fearless Engineer 
• Visualizing Code Is the Key 
• Harnessing the Consistent Power of the Sea Through Tech 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Software itself is constantly being updated, but are some conventional approaches used by tech leaders also in need of an upgrade? David Heinemeier Hansson is the Co-owner & CTO of the software company 37signals, producer of the successful web services Basecamp and HEY. On this episode, David explains the forward-thinking methodologies that his company has successfully implemented, like championing prospective customers rather than current ones, enforcing a short six-week planning cycle, and placing a higher value on intuition over data.

Tune in to learn:

• About the “six-week cycle” approach to innovation at 37signals (6:50)
• Why 37signals creates “opinionated software” (26:55)
• About David’s reliance on intuition over data (33:40)
• Why David considers writing to be a crucial leadership skill (42:08)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

New research shows that businesses that invest in interoperability can grow revenue six times faster than competitors. Why, then, are only one out of every three companies making this investment? Emma McGuigan, Global Lead of Enterprise and Industry Technologies at Accenture, joins us to discuss the tech consulting company’s latest report on the benefits of adopting interoperability, and other burgeoning technologies that are driving the growth of her clients.

Tune in to learn:

• Findings from Accenture’s report on interoperability (04:33) 
• How Accenture approaches the collaborative process with clients (11:30)
• How is Accenture Reducing Costs, and Increasing Time to Value and ROI  (21:26) 
• Why Emma is excited about the future of tech (33:09) 

Mentions:

• Value Untangled: Accelerating Radical Growth Through Interoperability - Accenture
• “Companies with Highly Interoperable Technology Achieve Six Times Higher Revenue Growth, According to New Accenture Research” (Accenture Press Release; Nov. 30, 2022)
• MuleSoft
• “Emma McGuigan, Senior Managing Director, Accenture Microsoft Business Group at Accenture” (Digital Leaders Podcast)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

When logging into devices and applications that hold the key to a user's identity, how can that user tell who is at the other end of the line? When it comes to internet safety and securing a user's identity online, Phil Dunkelberger, President and CEO of Nok Nok Labs, shares that the future of online security is cybersecurity that can be simplified through public private key cryptography. On this episode, Phil explains what that means, plus the purpose of FIDO and how it can create frictionless security for users logging into their devices and applications.

Tune in to learn:

• What FIDO is designed to do for users (9:55)
• Why public private keys used for authentication benefits the customer (14:00)
• How pass keys have evolved to render the need for two devices for personal and work purposes unnecessary (28:00)
• About Nok Nok’s Study on the IT Support side of the problem with authentication (35:36)

Mentions:

• Vanguard 
• Totem Tech
• Alli Bey, CEO of Totem Tech
• Dr. Larry Ponemon, Founder and Chairman of Ponemon Institute
• PYMNTS
• Karen Webster, CEO of PYMNTS
• Karen webster’s study
• “Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of Nike” by Phil Knight
• Xerox 
• Phil Zimmermann
• Symantec

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Over 90% of all cyber attacks start with a phishing email to an unsuspecting victim. As cyber criminal techniques become more sophisticated, how can businesses keep their communication channels safe? On this episode, David Raissipour, Chief Technology and Product Officer at the cloud-based cybersecurity company Mimecast, discusses the importance of cyber protection education and shares how his engineering team innovates to give businesses the upper hand over cyber threats.

Tune in to learn:

• The importance of cybersecurity education (07:11)
• How Mimecast innovates for new kinds of cyber crime (13:56)
• How the current economy is impacting the cybersecurity industry (28:01)
• The demand for cybersecurity jobs (33:20)

Mentions:

• “Closing the Cybersecurity Skills Gap” (IT Visionaries podcast; Episode 425)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org

Are menial workflow tasks keeping cybersecurity teams from reaching their full potential? Tines is a fast-growing, Ireland-based company that’s bringing automation to the security workforce, with no code writing necessary. The company’s Co-founder and CEO Eoin Hinchy joins us to discuss the ingenious automation process that narrows all workflow duties down to a mere seven “action types,” freeing up cyber workers to focus on keeping your data safe.

Tune in to learn:

• Tines and its no-code approach to cybersecurity (01:00)
• The seven “action types” that Tines automates (06:48)
• How much time is saved automating these workflows? (25:03)
• Eoin’s “hot take” on the cybersecurity skills gap (27:20)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

For companies seeking to scale globally, overcoming language barriers in foreign markets can be a major challenge. Unbabel is an AI-powered platform that combines machine and human translation to help businesses provide localized, multilingual customer experiences around the world. On this episode, Unbabel’s Co-founder and CEO Vasco Pedro reveals how his lifelong passion for language led to the company’s formation, and why AI technology is transforming the way we communicate across cultures.

Tune in to learn:

• About Unbabel and LangOps (1:06)
• The origin of Vasco’s fascination with language (15:30)
• The early breakthroughs at Unbabel (22:48)
• AI translation’s impact on globalization (31:48)

Mentions:

• AlphaGo - DeepMind
• “Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies” (book by Jared Diamond)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Let’s face it — nobody likes doing taxes. And staying on top of changing codes, rates, and regulations can be a time-consuming endeavor for companies. Avalara is a tax compliance automation platform that’s making tax solutions easier for businesses all around the world. Avalara’s EVP of Engineering and CTO Danny Fields joins us to discuss the wide scale of innovation required to deliver fast and accurate tax computations globally, and why companies still using manual methods should make the switch to automation now.

Tune in to learn:

• What is Avalara and what does it do? (01:09)
• How Avalara keeps track of constant changes in the tax code (10:45)
• What it was like moving Avalara toward automation (16:39)
• Why some companies are slow to adopt tax automation (27:03)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Business processes get faster and more convenient everyday as we automate tedious busywork. That said, how much further can automation efforts take us? Chris Byers, CEO of Formstack, discusses the wide ranging industries that would benefit from additional digital automation and how Formstack empowers non-technical employees to solve process-problems.

Tune in to learn:

• How has Formstack simplified the user experience over time? (02:52)
• The rise of automating office work (15:40)
• Who is driving innovation in organizations? (17:40)
• How far are we from a paperless future? (24:00)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce. With Salesforce’s low-code app dev tools, you can be more efficient, more productive and save money by reducing development time by up to 90%. Get Salesforce’s Low-Code Playbook and increase time to value for your team and your customers. Download the free playbook today.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

With the holiday shopping season in full swing, how are businesses handling the busiest commerce period of the year? On this special crossover episode, the hosts from Mission.org podcasts, Up Next in Commerce, Marketing Trends and IT Visionaries join forces for the first time ever to discuss all things retail. Tune in to hear Stephanie, Jeremy, and Albert share their thoughts and expertise about the latest shopping technology, holiday cyber threats, and whether shifting consumer attitudes will make Black Friday a thing of the past.

Tune in to learn:

• Has in-store Black Friday shopping become a thing of the past? (04:21)
• Cybersecurity’s role in Black Friday and Cyber Monday (13:51)
• Is there consumer optimism in today’s uncertain market? (19:02)
• End capping its evolution into ad-buying (29:15)
• The Mission hosts share about their podcasts (42:52)

Mentions:

• “Bringing Build-A-Bear Alive in New Ways With Jenn Kretchmar, Chief Digital and Merchandising Officer of Build-A-Bear Workshop” (Marketing Trends podcast; Episode 359)
• “How The Simple P&L Statement Can Be Key To Long-Term Success” (Up Next In Commerce podcast; Episode 33)
• “Not Dumbing It Down: DECIEM and the Art of Straightforward Marketing with Jordanne Dyck” (Up Next In Commerce podcast; Episode 197)
• “Flipping Ecommerce on its Head” (Up Next In Commerce podcast; Episode 90)
• Common Thread Collective
• “Where ‘Credit’ Is Due with Randy Kern, CTO, Marqeta” (IT Visionaries podcast; Episode 417)
• Stephan Pretorius - Chief Technology Officer - WPP
• “Smart TV and Smarter TV Marketing With Jordan Rost, Head of Ad Marketing, Roku, Inc.” (Marketing Trends podcast; Episode 341)
• American Giant: American Made Clothing & Activewear
• Danny Fields - EVP Engineering and Chief Technology Officer -  Avalara
• “Why Liquid Death Didn’t Water Down Its Marketing Strategy” (Up Next In Commerce podcast; Episode 262)

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at http://www.mission.org.

With so many options provided by different platforms, how can a company ensure it is choosing the best option? Boris Lokschin, Co-founder and CEO of Spryker Systems, has nearly 20 years’ experience building commerce technologies, and claims it’s best to create a tech stack that provides options for the customer rather than relying on preset models. Listen to hear more about Spryker Systems and how the company created stability for sophisticated transactional business models in today’s ever-changing market. 

Tune in to learn:

• How digital transformation has changed the industry (04:38) 
• Why Spryker’s buyers started to change (11:42) 
• About the evolution of commerce engines  (17:25) 
• What happens when the market flips (31:47) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Not only are cybersecurity threats rapidly evolving and increasing in number, but the market for solutions is almost equally complicated. Ian McShane, Field CTO and VP of Strategy at Arctic Wolf, explains how they guide companies through these challenges, sharing his thoughts on the cybersecurity industry and offering words of wisdom for business leaders. 

Tune in to learn:

• What is unique about Arctic Wolf (01:10)
• Ian’s observations about the industry (4:40)
• How the cybersecurity industry has changed over the last 10+ years (9:47)
• The shortage in cybersecurity professionals (22:30)
• Technologies and skills business leaders should invest in (25:55)

Mentions:

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
• Minority Report (Science Fiction Movie)
• The Bombpops (Band)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

How can brands best utilize today’s technology to make the biggest possible impact on consumers? Our guest today is Stephan Pretorius, Chief Technology Officer at WPP, the world’s largest marketing services organization. Poised at the forefront of advertising innovation, Stephan discusses how marketers can effectively target consumers without impinging on their privacy, and shares how some of WPP’s most groundbreaking ad campaigns came to fruition.

Tune in to learn:

• What is WPP and what is Stephan’s role there? (01:10)
• How does WPP navigate the changing marketing landscape? (16:40)
• Deepfakes and the future of likeness licensing in advertising (28:10)
• Stephan’s tech journey and his advice for aspiring tech leaders (35:55)

Mentions:

• Cadbury Celebrations | Not Just A Cadbury Ad
• Toxic Influence: A Dove Film | Dove Self-Esteem Project

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

A staggering 1.5 billion people all over the world are actively trying to learn English as an additional language, which can be difficult without access to a regular conversation partner. Enter Sameer Shariff, Co-founder and CEO of Cambly, a networking platform that allows students from around the globe to interact with English-speaking tutors. Hear Sameer describe the innovative technology behind the app and how its simple, fun design positions students for success.

Tune in to learn:

• What is Cambly and what inspired its formation? (02:11)
• How Cambly built its community of tutors (8:20)
• Comparing Cambly with other language apps (18:40)
• Why Cambly is going “all in” on English learning (27:00)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Starting a new creative endeavor can often seem like a major gamble, but what if there existed a tool that helped creators minimize their entrepreneurial risk? Mahesh Guruswamy is the CTO of Kajabi, a multifaceted online business platform designed to help entrepreneurs, experts and influencers succeed. Tune in to learn the approach to innovation at the company, and how Mahesh and his engineering team have effectively scaled the platform during a time of major growth.

Tune in to learn:

• About Kajabi and what makes it special (02:30)
• Kajabi’s various product domains (08:20)
• The Kajabi playbook of scale, speed and reliability (21:55)
• How Kajabi decides which new features to bet on (32:05)

Mentions:

• Kajabi Edge (podcast)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

According to a 2018 survey, 40% of first-time homebuyers considered purchasing a home to be the most stressful event in modern life. But does it have to be that way? Regis Hadiaris is the VP of Product Strategy at Rocket Central, a hub of companies that includes America’s largest mortgage lender, Rocket Mortgage. Tune in to hear how his team is using data-driven innovation to try to make the home buying process as fast, simple, and stress-free as possible.

Tune in to learn:

• Rocket Central’s emphasis on simplicity (2:40)
• The outdated model of some of Rocket’s competitors (10:35)
• The long-term vision at Rocket Central (19:43)
• The UI design process at Rocket Central (24:55)

Did you know, Salesforce is one of the founding members of World Economic Forum's Cybersecurity Learning Hub ?

The learning hub democratizes access to cybersecurity skills by providing free and career-oriented modules that give people a route towards in-demand roles. 

Visit Trailhead to skill up for the future and learn in-demand skills that lead to top jobs.Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

How can small businesses find success with funding? Prashant Fuloria, CEO of Fundbox, shares his insights on how short periods of reliable funding can boost capital and keep small business owners focused on their crafts. Tune in to learn more about Fundbox’s data innovation and how building customer relationships can help customer retention.

Tune in to learn:

• What Fundbox is and how it helps small businesses (1:40)
• How Fundbox creates strategies to help solve funding problems (15:20)
• About Fundbox’s unique customer loyalty strategy (28:10)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce. Did you know all the very best Dreamforce sessions are available free on salesforce.com/plus ? We recommend watching the Platform and MuleSoft keynote to get the down-low on doing more with less and increasing efficiencies with automation.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Closing the cybersecurity skills gap might seem like a problem for established tech professionals to solve, but a technical background isn’t even necessary to join the cause. On this episode, we continue our “Cybersecurity” series with guests Melonia da Gama, Director of Marketing at Fortinet’s NSE Training Institute, and Lynn Simons, Senior Director of Security Awareness and Engagement at Salesforce. Hear these two champions of cyber education discuss why a diverse talent pool and a bit of daily diligence are needed to stop cybercriminals in their tracks.

Tune in to learn:

• The partnership between Fortinet and Salesforce (04:03)
• The importance of hiring diverse talent for cybersecurity jobs (16:10)
• Why cybersecurity is a “human issue” (22:54)
• The success of cybersecurity training programs (34:31)

Mentions:

• Cybersecurity Learning Hub - Trailhead
• National Cybersecurity Alliance
• “Closing the Cybersecurity Skills Gap with Cyber Experts Gill Thomas and Seán Doyle” (IT Visionaries podcast)
• CIO Magazine

Did you know, Salesforce is one of the founding members of World Economic Forum's Cybersecurity Learning Hub ?

The learning hub democratizes access to cybersecurity skills by providing free and career-oriented modules that give people a route towards in-demand roles. 

Visit Trailhead to skill up for the future and learn in-demand skills that lead to top jobs. 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

The need for cybersecurity has never been more apparent than in today’s growing digital world. But are there enough skilled cyber workers to keep up with rising demand? On this episode, Gill Thomas, Director of the Engagement, Capacity & Resilience Program at the Global Cyber Alliance and Seán Doyle, Lead at the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity, share how an innovative instructional program is providing people with the skills to help address the global cybersecurity worker shortage.

Tune in to learn:

• The extent of the cybersecurity professional shortage (04:17)
• The success of the Cybersecurity Learning Hub (17:08)
• The curriculum at the Cybersecurity Learning Hub (24:50)
• What is the future of cybersecurity? (36:42)

Mentions:

• Cybersecurity Learning Hub - Trailhead
• Fortinet
• Cybersecurity Multi-Donor Trust Fund - World Bank
• CyberFirst - National Cyber Security Centre
• “The War with Algorithms: Why Your Next Security Strategy Includes A.I. and Machine Learning” (IT Visionaries podcast; Episode 244)

Did you know, Salesforce is one of the founding members of World Economic Forum's Cybersecurity Learning Hub?

The learning hub democratizes access to cybersecurity skills by providing free and career-oriented modules that give people a route towards in-demand roles. 

Visit Trailhead to skill up for the future and learn in-demand skills that lead to top jobs. 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org

How is automation creating more jobs in the workplace? Jeff Burnstein, President of A3, claims that by using automation to function alongside workers, it can create more jobs for the market and allow workers more time for important tasks. Listen to the episode to hear more about Jeff’s perspective on how automation can transform the job market. 

Tune in to learn:

• What is A3 and  how does it supports the industry (1:20) 
• How A3 educates companies on automation (7:45) 
• About the Automate Show (18:00) 
• Taking advantage of the data to improve automation technology  (28:00) 

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce. Did you know all the very best Dreamforce sessions are available free on salesforce.com/plus? We recommend watching the Platform and MuleSoft keynote to get the down-low on doing more with less and increasing efficiencies with automation.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org

As companies rely more heavily on analytics to draw insights, how can they be sure that they’re truly getting the most out of their data? Dr. Yu Xu is the CEO of TigerGraph, a graph analytics software company that created the industry’s first distributed native graph database. Tune in to hear Dr. Xu explain the development process behind this revolutionary technology and why it is reshaping the way businesses approach, analyze, and act upon their data.

Tune in to learn:

• What a native parallel graph database is (2:00) 
• How companies integrate TigerGraph’s database (9:44)
• About TigerGraph’s six-year development journey (16:00) 
• How Dr. Xu has adjusted to his role as CEO (30:19) 

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce. Did you know all the very best Dreamforce sessions are available free on salesforce.com/plus? We recommend watching the Platform and MuleSoft keynote to get the down-low on doing more with less and increasing efficiencies with automation.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

If automation technology has the ability to revolutionize the way businesses operate, then what’s keeping so many from adopting it? Today, we are joined by two top minds from the world’s leading CRM platform Salesforce: Joyce Paul, Director of Research & Insights, and Shalini Mayor, Senior Director of Enterprise Automation. Tune in to hear Joyce and Shalini discuss how Salesforce is collaborating with its customers to make automation implementation faster, easier, and more personalized than ever.

Tune in to learn:

• Why some companies are slow to adopt automation (02:50)
• About the collaborative process at Salesforce (14:45)
• What successful automation implementation looks like (24:20)
• How automation is changing people’s lives at work and at home (28:25)

Mentions:

• “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't” by Jim Collins
• Automation Is Just the Beginning for Business — Here’s How the IT Leaders Are Taking It to the Next Level

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce. Did you know all the very best Dreamforce sessions are available free on salesforce.com/plus? We recommend watching the Platform and MuleSoft keynote to get the down-low on doing more with less and increasing efficiencies with automation.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at 

mission.org.

Adding features to existing software often requires a great deal of hard work, but simplification can be an even more difficult process. Clate Mask is the CEO and Co-Founder of Keap, a CRM and sales and marketing automation platform focused on small business needs. On this episode, Clate speaks candidly about the company’s early days, which boasted a powerful but complex automation tool, and the challenges he and his team overcame in order to make the platform more accessible.

Tune in to learn:

• What Keap provides its customers (1:50)
• How Keap simplified its platform for small businesses (12:00)
• About “when/then automation” (23:55)
• Clate’s advice for aspiring entrepreneurs (25:40)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce. Did you know all the very best Dreamforce sessions are available free on salesforce.com/plus? We recommend watching the Platform and MuleSoft keynote to get the down-low on doing more with less and increasing efficiencies with automation.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Businesses often rely on data to provide them with useful insights about the “what” — what is working and what isn’t. But is there a way to uncover the “why”? Jigar Desai is the SVP of Engineering at Sisu, a data intelligence engine that uses automated analytics to determine why certain KPI changes occur. On this episode, Jigar explains the revolutionary technology behind the Sisu engine, what its implementation process involves, and how this very podcast could benefit from its use.

Tune in to learn:

• What Sisu provides its customers (02:20)
• How Sisu offers recommendations after making its findings (15:30)
• The benefits of using Sisu (26:40)
• Which dimensions help Sisu make its determinations (30:30)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce. Did you know all the very best Dreamforce sessions are available free on salesforce.com/plus? We recommend watching the Platform and MuleSoft keynote to get the down-low on doing more with less and increasing efficiencies with automation.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Data center maintenance requires an intricate balance of automation, integration, supply management, and equipment knowledge. Without an optimized approach, the risk of extended resolution times looms large. On this episode of IT Visionaries, we welcome Michael Cantor, CIO of Park Place Technologies for a discussion of how his company streamlines these processes to support an ever-growing slate of platforms and hardware, alongside some thoughts on the future of optimized data management. 

Tune in to learn:

• An overview of Park Place Technologies and its innovations in optimizing enterprise-class data center systems (1:45)
• The biggest challenges Park Place faces in maintaining and optimizing these systems (6:22)
• The origin and importance of “DMSO” to Park Place Technologies (14:32)
• How Park Place Technologies continues to support and optimize older hardware (19:09)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce. Did you know all the very best Dreamforce sessions are available free on salesforce.com/plus? We recommend watching the Platform and MuleSoft keynote to get the down-low on doing more with less and increasing efficiencies with automation.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

While credit cards have made the payment process considerably easier for users over the years, the systems that support those transactions are more complex than one might expect. Randy Kern is the CTO of the modern card issuing and payment processing platform Marqeta. On this episode, Randy offers a deep dive into the evolution of card payment technology and tells us how Marqeta is transforming the payment landscape.

Tune in to learn:

• About Marqeta and its customers (2:00)
• About the modernization of credit payments (5:25)
• Untangling the payment space (16:30)
• What the next few years might hold for the payment space (30:45)
• Randy’s thoughts on alternative payments and peer-to-peer lending (36:00)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce. Did you know all the very best Dreamforce sessions are available free on salesforce.com/plus? We recommend watching the Platform and MuleSoft keynote to get the down-low on doing more with less and increasing efficiencies with automation

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org

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How have digital consultancies continued to evolve in the modern business landscape?  Jenny Koehler, Strategic Growth & Business Development Leader at PwC, and Patty Cheung, VP of Alliances & Channels (Americas) at MuleSoft believe that lasting customer connections come from truly listening to customers’ unique problems and updating tech systems to better support their processes. Listen in to hear more about their thoughts on investing and modernizing software to encourage growth and customer relationships.

Tune in to learn:

• What MuleSoft and PwC do and how they work together (02:25)
• MuleSoft and PwC collaborating to help SMBs leverage the loan process (11:10)
• Patty’s thoughts on custom coding (18:50)
• Why crossing the chasm to newer tech is vital for a company’s growth (29:00)
• About PwC’s acquisition of Netrovert and partnership with MuleSoft (36:40)

Mentions:

• Jim Collins “Good to Great” book

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce. Did you know all the very best Dreamforce sessions are available free on salesforce.com/plus? We recommend watching the Platform and MuleSoft keynote to get the down-low on doing more with less and increasing efficiencies with automation.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at 

mission.org

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How can CIOs drive successful digital transformation within their organizations? Isaac Sacolick, author and President of StarCIO, shares his expert advice based on his experience in digital transformation consulting, as well as ideas from his new book Digital Trailblazer. Tune in to hear his insights into the market and his tips for CIOs.

Tune in to learn:

• Isaac’s Career Evolution (02:45)
• Isaac’s Insights into the Market (05:01)
• What CIOs Should Be Thinking About (10:13)
• Will Doing Nothing Lead to Failure? (25:55)
• Tips for CIOs in Legacy Industries and Organizations (34:29)

Mentions:

• Digital Trailblazer: Essential Lessons to Jumpstart Transformation and Accelerate Your Technology L eadership (book by Isaac Sacolick)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce. Did you know all the very best Dreamforce sessions are available free on salesforce.com/plus? We recommend watching the Platform and MuleSoft keynote to get the down-low on doing more with less and increasing efficiencies with automation.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Watching Salesforce Trailblazers work under pressure to craft customer low-code solutions for Pacific Clinics is inspiring and even brought tears to the eyes of Eleanor Castillo Sumi, the SVP of Strategy, Innovation, and Growth. As a nonprofit, Pacific Clinics faces unique challenges integrating systems with disparate government entities, and CFO Jason Gurahoo can account for the powerful changes these solutions are bringing to the organization. Tune in for a special BTS of how the Legends of Low Code tv series is bringing more efficiency and a better user experience to Pacific Clinics and their customers. 

Tune in to learn:

• Who does Pacific Clinics help?  (2:15)
• What it takes to bring transformation at Pacific Clinics  (4:30)
• Understanding how  and find the tools to make change (11:45)
• Finding and cultivating the right practitioners (25:00)
• Why Elenor was blown away by her experience on Legends of Low Code (31:30)

Mentions:

• Salesforce Plus TV Show “Legends of Low Code”

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022. Catch the news and insights coming out of Dreamforce this year for free on Salesforce Plus. Just visit Salesforce.com/plus. Content will start rolling today!

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Software itself is constantly being updated, but are some conventional approaches used by tech leaders also in need of an upgrade? David Heinemeier Hansson is the Co-owner & CTO of the software company 37signals, producer of the successful web services Basecamp and HEY. On this episode, David explains the forward-thinking methodologies that his company has successfully implemented, like championing prospective customers rather than current ones, enforcing a short six-week planning cycle, and placing a higher value on intuition over data.

Tune in to learn:

• David describes the “six-week cycle” approach at 37signals (03:30)
• How did 37signals develop its short-term planning method? (08:30 )
• The relationship between designers and programmers at 37signals (13:30)
• David’s reliance on intuition over data (29:15)
• The importance of writing and advice David received from Jeff Bezos (37:50)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022. Catch the news and insights coming out of Dreamforce this year for free on salesforce.com/plus. Content will start rolling on September 20th.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

How fast can data be collected and used in current business models? Evan Kaplan, CEO of InfluxData, claims that in the era of smart products, an autonomous system can utilize data collected every millisecond for instant responses. Listen in to learn more about how collecting instant data can provide better service for products and create loyalty with customers.

Tune in to learn:

• What InfluxData does (01:12)
• Monitoring data to build real-time responses (08:39)
• How quickly data is being recorded (14:36)
• Types of projects built with InfluxData (16:28)
• InfluxData's popularity with student engineers (20:17)

Mentions:

• Check out our previous episode with Paul Dix also from InfluxData.
• “Memorial Day Murph” Crossfit Routine

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022. Catch the news and insights coming out of Dreamforce this year for free on salesforce.com/plus. Content will start rolling on September 20th.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What is Indoor Intelligence? How can Indoor Intelligence data be used to improve the customer and employee experience? Nadir Ali, CEO of Inpixon, shares practical applications and case studies, as well as his thoughts on future implementations with augmented reality and the metaverse. Tune in to hear the impacts Indoor Intelligence can have on security, and even employee retention. 

Tune in to learn:

• How Businesses are Leveraging This Data to Solve Problems (05:36)
• What the Data Shows About Post-COVID Work Trends (9:51)
• How Indoor Intelligence Can Support the Employee Experience (15:17)
• The Evolution of the Business Idea (21:23)
• What Nadir Envisions for the Next Five Years (27:12)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022. Catch the news and insights coming out of Dreamforce this year for free on salesforce.com/plus. Content will start rolling on September 20th.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Where do some of the most successful tech leaders in the world turn to for sound advice? Prashant Kelker is the Chief Strategy Officer and a Lead Partner at ISG, a multinational technology research and advisory firm that consults an astounding 80 companies in the Fortune 100. Tune in to hear the fascinating details about ISG’s advisory process and why Prashant calls the firm “the industry’s best-kept secret.”

Tune in to learn:

• What sets ISG apart from other consulting firms? (3:00)
• How does ISG gather the information necessary to make recommendations? (06:44)
• Prashant shares a success story he experienced at ISG (08:50)
• At what point in the process does ISG get involved? (18:25)
• Prashant discusses Web3 (32:30)

Mentions:

• “The Platform Delusion” (book by Jonathan A. Knee)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022. Catch the news and insights coming out of Dreamforce this year for free on salesforce.com/plus. Content will start rolling on September 20th.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Edge computing has a lot to offer enterprises in terms of cost savings, increased efficiency, and all manner of other positive benefits that Justin Boitano is excited about. As the VP of EGX at NVIDIA, he and his team help enterprises drive incredible efficiencies, training models, and implementing a strategy that includes a low cost time to value. Tune in for some practical examples and case studies of what edge computing can really do for the future of technology.

Tune in to learn:

• How NVIDIA is unlocking more powerful computing at the edge. (02:15 )
• How does computing at the edge actually help companies scale? (05:45)
• Improving the customer experience through edge computing (12:27)
• Fast model training means fast time to value with NVIDIA AI Enterprise (14:49)
• Addressing security concerns for edge computing (21:35)

Mentions:

• NVIDIA Fleet Command

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022. Catch the news and insights coming out of Dreamforce this year for free on Salesforce Plus. Just visit Salesforce.com/plus. Content will start rolling on September 20th.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Everybody loves saving time and money, which are natural results of automation. There can be fear around automation and it taking jobs away, however, the truth is that automation can make jobs more meaningful by reserving people’s time for tasks requiring good judgment. Today our return guest, automation expert, and CIO of Autodesk, Prakash Kota, sheds light on what automation is unlocking for an improved employee and customer experience across the spectrum of product innovation. From increasing business efficiency, to increasing sustainability around product development, automation is paving the way for a better tomorrow.

Tune in to learn:

• How has the evolution of Autodesk been driven by automation? (04:06)
• Why is it so important to be selective about what you automate? (12:46)
• What kind of culture fosters a citizen-development mindset? (14:46)
• How does Autodesk use Salesforce to provide the best customer experience? (21:18)
• Automation brings sustainability benefits, especially with physical product creation (25:41)
• Finding the balance between Independence & Innovation and Commonality (35:31)

Mentions:

• Innovation at Autodesk, with CIO Prakash Kota - First episode of IT Visionaries

Our Automation Series is brought to you by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022! We don’t want you to miss out on the world’s largest software conference (with a healthy dose of magic), so log in to https://www.salesforce.com/plus for more automation-focused sessions.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

From telephone lines to the cloud, the human impulse to connect has long been a powerful driver of innovation. But how is the rapid advancement of automation technology changing the way we communicate? Continuing our “Automation” series, we welcome Savinay Berry, EVP of Product and Engineering at the cloud communications provider Vonage. Tune in to hear eye-opening insights from an industry leader who’s at the cutting edge of communications technology.

Tune in to learn:

• A brief history of Vonage (01:18)
• Automation advancing communications at Vonage (07:03)
•  What is Vonage’s automation philosophy? (09:50)
• How has the evolution of language impacted Vonage? (13:02)
•  How fast do they implement updates? (18:48)
• How do you work at the speed and acceleration of innovation in communications? (23:55)
• What will customer service look like in five years? (33:12)

Our Automation Series is brought to you by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022! We don’t want you to miss out on the world’s largest software conference (with a healthy dose of magic), so log in to https://www.salesforce.com/plus for more automation-focused sessions.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Are the antiquated systems at your business holding it back from its full potential? Today’s the day to automate! On this episode, we kick off our “Automation” series with guests John Kucera, SVP of Product Management at Salesforce, and Matt McLarty, Global Field CTO & VP of the Digital Transformation Office at Salesforce’s integration platform MuleSoft. John and Matt join us to discuss how system automation is rapidly changing how businesses operate, and which arenas outside of the tech industry would most benefit from an automation overhaul.

Tune in to learn:

• The trajectory of the automation market (04:28)
• What is preventing some businesses from fully embracing automation (19:50) 
• About innovations that have the potential to accelerate automation (24:00)
• About areas that could benefit from more automation integration (34:30)

Mentions:

• Einstein Next Best Action (Salesforce platform feature)
• Forbes Technology Council

Our Automation Series is brought to you by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022! We don’t want you to miss out on the world’s largest software conference (with a healthy dose of magic), so log in to salesforce.com/plus for more automation-focused sessions.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

The constant need to re-share your health history with each new healthcare provider you encounter is frustrating and, unfortunately, all too common. It leads to wasted time, inaccuracies, and lost opportunities. Finding a way to improve archaic hospital and physician healthcare record systems takes someone who’s been on the other side — in the physician’s shoes. Rimidi, a clinical management platform software company, offers a solution that brings physicians’ perspectives to bear. Tune in to hear Lucienne Ide, the Founder and CEO of Rimidi, as she shares her indirect route to entrepreneurship and the wealth of unique perspectives and experiences she’s gained along the way. 

Tune in to learn:

• About Lucienne’s winding career: From the NSA to investing, academia, healthcare, and finally entrepreneurship (03:47)
• About the great potential for improvement in diabetes care (12:29)
• A use case for how Rimidi is bringing change (18:28)
• About weighing social determinants and other healthcare factors (26:14)

Our Automation Series is brought to you by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022! We don’t want you to miss out on the world’s largest software conference (with a healthy dose of magic), so log in to salesforce.com/plus for more automation-focused sessions.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Are commonly accepted cybersecurity strategies even helpful? Corey White, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer of the cybersecurity-as-a-service company Cyvatar, claims typical techniques don’t truly mitigate security threats. Listen in to learn about Corey’s ideas for an updated cybersecurity strategy and his thoughts on optimizing continuous protection for companies.

Tune in to learn:

• About alert fatigue in cybersecurity (08:27)
• Corey’s comparison of home security and penetration testing (20:16)
• Corey’s thoughts on securing personal devices in SMBs (30:27)
• What’s trending in cybersecurity (38:26)

Mentions:

• “The 6 Phase Guided Meditation” (by Vishen Lakhiani)
• “The Firewall is Dead” (talk by Corey White)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022. Catch the news and insights coming out of Dreamforce this year for free on salesforce.com/plus. Content will start rolling on September 20th. 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What drives a company toward winning? Manjula Talreja, SVP and Chief Customer Officer of PagerDuty, shares how the company has evolved into an “operations platform in a digital-first environment” to help businesses create positive experiences for its customers. Tune in to learn from Manjula about how PagerDuty’s “proactive” approach to support customers leads to wins internally and for the companies it serves.

Tune in to learn:

• About PagerDuty and what the company does (00:30)
• Why driving customer experience is vital for brand loyalty (04:59)
• How PagerDuty is saving lives (16:11)
• What brought Manjula to PagerDuty (19:39)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform and Dreamforce 2022. Catch the news and insights coming out of Dreamforce this year for free on salesforce.com/plus. Content will start rolling on September 20th. 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

On an international scale, is it possible to make hiring, contracting, and paying workers a more smooth and cohesive process? Yaron Lavi, CTO of Deel, claims it’s easier now than ever before with Deel. Also, tune in to hear how Yaron sets up his interview process to make great hires for his teams.

Tune in to learn:

• What is Deel and how does the company improve the hiring process (02:04)
• How Yaron interviews engineers (13:02) 
• How “put the customer first,” according to Yaron, is more than business saying for Deel (21:37) 
• About how customer needs lead to where Deel directs its attention (27:50)
• What was the craziest IT problem Yaron’s solved (35:00) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Shy of having a crystal ball to predict the future, venture capitalists have to rely on other skills to determine what companies to fund. With a decade of experience, Insight Partners Managing Director Thomas Krane knows how to spot innovative startups that are bringing a significant value-add to the market. Just as importantly, he’s also looking for CEOs that understand the market value and how to make their product profitable. Learn more about the next generation of software VC!

Tune in to learn:

• About How Insight Partners has grown in the last decade (08:43)
• Where the best innovation are in new startups for security, DevOps, or automation (15:09) 
• How 10x is the standard improvement rate for NextGen Cybersecurity development (22:06)
• What factor is enabling the break-neck speed of tech innovation (28:22)
• About Thomas’ career hop from the astronomy lab to venture capital (34:14)
• Where Thomas looks to find the next big thing to invest in (39:40)

Mentions:

• “The Biggest Mistakes Companies Make With Cybersecurity—and How to Avoid Them” (article in The Wall Street Journal)
• Why Your Code is My Code with Sonatype’s Derek Weeks (prior podcast episode of IT Visionaries)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Does current media output alter the way consumers think about information? Dr. David Bray, a Distinguished Fellow at The Stimson Center, explains that the media that people take in does change consumers’ thoughts. Tune in to learn how he suggests future tech can help improve people’s critical thinking skills.

Tune in to learn:

• (07:11) About David’s viewpoint that technology must be seen as a “tool” 
• (17:44) How to combat polarization 
• (21:51) About the loss objectivity in news media 
• (33:40) David’s interest concerning “triangulating” information 

Mentions:

• "The Social Dilemma"  (Film)
• Iain M. Banks (Novelist) 
• David’s report (referenced at 44:50) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

The IT world has many talented innovators, but they often work with outdated or overly complex software systems. Kit Colbert, the Chief Technology Officer at VMware, asserts that the virtualization company is helping set the table for these developers to flourish. Tune in to hear Kit explain how the synergistic relationship between VMware and its customers creates an “ecosystem” of innovation.

Mention:

• “Top Data Security Trends for 2022” (Salesforce research report)

Tune in to learn:

• What VMware does (05:47) 
• What Kit has seen as effective practices to oversee various technologies (12:43) 
• What Kit is excited about in the VM industry (24:18) 
• About Kit’s experience with vMotion (38:45) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Is it the concept or the process that truly sets great companies apart from the rest? Borya Shakhnovich, the CEO of the workflow automation company airSlate, suggests that entrepreneurs are better served improving on an imperfect idea rather than trying to create the perfect one. Tune in to hear about the “kaizen” approach that airSlate takes toward innovation.

Tune in to learn:

• About airSlate (04:15)
• About the “kaizen” approach to building software at airSlate (19:13)
• How Borya measures success at airSlate (24:05) 
• About Borya’s leadership style (28:54) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Is telemedicine the future for reproductive healthcare? Carrie SiuButt, CEO of SimpleHealth, suggests that increased virtual reproductive healthcare will enhance traditional approaches to care. Listen in to learn how Carrie’s personal health journey has also guided her career path.

Tune in to learn:

• (00:38) SimpleHealth's mission, including using data to offer dynamic healthcare
• (16:37) How differing state telehealth regulations are a challenge 
• (19:45) About the future of telemedicine for reproductive healthcare  
• (21:37) How to build the right team for success  

Mentions:

• “Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking” by Malcolm Gladwell

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Even if everyone could easily develop their own applications, would that really be a good thing? Mike Fitzmaurice, Chief Evangelist & VP-North America of WEBCON, points out that low-code solutions, like those offered by WEBCON, work well in experienced hands. Tune in to hear Mike’s myth-busting takes on low-code and no-code solutions and what he sees as the realistic promise of these sorts of development tools.

Tune in to learn:

• The distinction between low-code and no-code tools (05:40)
• Why Mike believes ‘citizen development” needs guardrails (09:24) 
• How low-code tools help developers move more quickly (14:01) 
• How companies can use low-code tools successfully (30:33) 

Mentions:

• "WEBCON 2022 Predictions: The year of low-code and development shakeups" (VMblog.com article, written by Fitzmaurice)
• "4 Common Reasons Low-Code projects Fail"  (InformationWeek article by Fitzmaurice)
• “Seven Trends Reshaping IT” (Salesforce report)

About the Guest:

BIO: “Responsible for developing WEBCON’s North American presence, evangelizing its Business Process Suite, and advocating overall best practices in workflow and business process automation, digital transformation, and citizen-assisted development. Fathered SharePoint evangelism at Microsoft, and was a critical part of growing it from an internal startup to an enterprise mainstay. Frequent and sought-after speaker at industry conferences, webinars, and symposia. Key force multiplier for others' work in marketing, competitive sales, partner relations, and engineering.”

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

The increasing complexity of software systems has made it challenging for service providers to maximize efficiency and reduce technical debt. Marcin Kurc, the Co-founder and CEO of Nobl9, claims that these companies can find help in the burgeoning market of SLOs (service-level objectives). Tune in to hear the software innovator explain why SLOs are saving service providers precious resources and helping them maintain customer satisfaction.

Definitions:

five 9s: “The five-9s term indicates how many ‘9’s there are in the uptime calculation. For example, saying something is up (and available) 99.99% of the time would be four nines. Five nines mean something is available 99.999% of the time or it only has downtime of 5.26 minutes per year.” (404 Tech Support article by Jason, 05/10/2012)

SLA (service-level agreement): “A service-level agreement (SLA) defines the level of service you expect from a vendor, laying out the metrics by which service is measured, as well as remedies or penalties should agreed-on service levels not be achieved. It is a critical component of any technology vendor contract.” (CIO Article by Stephanie Overby and Lynn Greiner and Lauren Gibbons Paul, 07/05/17)

SLO (service-level objective): “Within service-level agreements (SLAs), SLOs are the objectives that must be achieved — for each service activity, function and process — to provide the best opportunity for service recipient success.” (Gartner glossary)

SRE (site reliability engineering): “SRE leverages operations data and software engineering to automate IT operations tasks, and to accelerate software delivery while minimizing IT risk.” (IBM Cloud Education, 11/12/20)

Tune in to learn:

• About Nobl9 and how it was founded (04:23) 
• About service-level objectives (SLOs) (06:33) 
• What the market demand is for SLOs (23:47)
• Marcin’s advice for startup founders (33:42)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

The rapid advancements in camera and data storage technologies serve humanity more than simply feeding us our favorite entertainment in higher definition. To wrap up our communications series, Fredrik Nilsson, VP of the Americas for Axis Communications, stops by the show to illustrate a multitude of ways the company’s software and cameras are making the world a safer place. From detecting fires to locating the perpetrators of crimes, Axis’ technology brings their customers a greater degree of speed and precision while cutting costs.Tune in for Fredrik's explanation about how automation is enhancing the future of security.

Tune in to learn:

• About the tech behind network security on IP-based cameras (08:04)
• How Axis cameras can prevent forest fires (15:22)
• How evolving technology is driving security costs down (25:44)
• How automation at Axis is reducing costs in the security industry (35:00)

Mention:

• "Surveillance Cameras Help in Stamping Out Wildfires"

This episode is a special part of our technology in communications series. 
Check out our episodes with: 
Phenix Real Time Solutions https://youtu.be/c0-97798P4U
Comcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Judy2YqtE
Zayo Group https://youtu.be/Vu080hl_CmQ
Axis Communications https://youtu.be/CuyfwpQjOsI

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform. If this episode makes you want to go deeper into the data security world, check out Salesforce.com/datasecurity and download the IT Guide to Data Security and Governance to learn how to protect your customer data with Salesforce Security Portfolio.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Think for a minute about the millions of photos, messages, and videos flying around the world every second. Behind all of that data lies a company like Zayo Group, which provides communications infrastructure. At the helm of reducing latency, securing data, and driving innovation is EVP and CIO, Ginna Raahauge. Tune in as she brings her 28 years of experience as a CIO and CTO to this insightful conversation.

Tune in to learn:

• What is on the horizon for low latency data-center connectivity (04:41)
• What CIOs really want (08:47)
• How to adapt to increasing consumption and demand (20:34)
• How Ginna continues to drive innovation at Zayo (21:32)
• How to power digital twin experiences and how to growing demand in multiple verticles (29:25)
• The unplanned evolution of Ginna’s career in tech (34:32)

Mentions:

Marketing Trends Episode with Zayo Group’s SVP & CMO Kimberly Storin: 

Using ABM as a Driver for Business Growth

This episode is a special part of our technology in communications series. 
Check out our episodes with: 
Phenix Real Time Solutions https://youtu.be/c0-97798P4U
Comcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Judy2YqtE
Zayo Group https://youtu.be/Vu080hl_CmQ
Axis Communications https://youtu.be/CuyfwpQjOsI

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

In the communications world, it doesn't get much bigger than Comcast. With three massive arms of the business, including NBC Universal, Comcast Cable, and Sky, Comcast touches millions of customers every day. As Comcast's EVP, CTO, and CIO, Rick Rioboli is responsible for providing excellent customer service, innovating future technologies, and curating the next generation of technical professionals. Learn more about his servant leadership style and the aggressive way Comcast is training current and future technologists that keep Comcast on the cutting edge of all they do.

Also, check out the rest of our communications series featuring companies covering a broad spectrum of connectivity, latency, networking, and surveillance with leaders from Zayo, Phenix Real Time Solutions, and Axis Communications.

Tune in to learn:

• How Comcast is shifting from using AI on products to also on the business end (10:27)
• About Comcast’s 10G service (12:59)
• How the future of customer service is personalized and proactive (19:00)
• About the flywheel of good company culture (24:33)
• How to develop world-class tech talent (27:36)
• What’s one of the craziest IT problems Rick has ever solved (39:07)

Mentions:

• "Raising the Stakes at Comcast with CIO Rick Rioboli"

(First episode of IT Visionaries)

• Comcast 10G 
• Comcast Grows to Code

This episode is a special part of our technology in communications series. 
Check out our episodes with: 
Phenix Real Time Solutions https://youtu.be/c0-97798P4U
Comcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Judy2YqtE
Zayo Group https://youtu.be/Vu080hl_CmQ
Axis Communications https://youtu.be/CuyfwpQjOsI

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What is more annoying than watching the big game, texting your friends about it, and then realizing they’re ahead of you by 30 seconds? More than just being annoying, latency actually prevents certain business transactions, like remote-betting or live virtual voting, from occurring. As an avid sports fan and former NHL Board of Governors member Roy Reichbach, CEO of Phenix Real Time Solutions, immediately saw the massive potential for this company. Learn more about how the future for Phenix includes unlocking incredible experiences in the metaverse, as wild as you can imagine, including dancing on stage with Kanye. 

This is a special part of our Communications Series on #ITVisionaries. Tune in to learn more in this series about the frontier of connectivity, streaming, and communications from experts and executives at companies including Comcast, Zayo, and Axis Communications! 

Tune in to learn:

• How Phenix is solving latency issues in video streaming (04:45)
• What re-analyzing and seeking to improve WebRTC looked like (09:23)
• How Phenix is built to handle the wide range of video quality, up to 16K (14:02 )
• How Roy became  involved with Phenix (24:29)
• That Phenix has the speed to be able to run real-time virtual auctions with in-person bidders (29:24)
• How Phenix is keeping up with the aggressive pace of innovation (32:56)

This episode is a special part of our technology in communications series. 
Check out our episodes with: 
Phenix Real Time Solutions https://youtu.be/c0-97798P4U
Comcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6Judy2YqtE
Zayo Group https://youtu.be/Vu080hl_CmQ
Axis Communications https://youtu.be/CuyfwpQjOsI

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. Did you know, streaming now on Salesforce+ you can watch “Legends of Low Code”? In this series three teams of Trailblazers race to build the best low-code app. Check this out... 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Hyper-scale security detection and response master Dave “Merk” Merkel, the Co-founder and CEO of Expel, is a self-proclaimed “security-nerd.” Merk explains that staying ahead of the hackers and ransomware requires a multi-pronged strategy, including an informed C-suite, intelligent technologists, and excellent tech. Tune in to learn from Merk how every password and multi-factor authentication (MFA) matters and helps to keep you and your information safe from attackers.

Tune in to learn:

• More about what Merk calls the “accessible boogieman”: ransomware (06:43)
• Merk’s thoughts on the “Top Data Security Trends for 2022” findings (11:30) 
• How to  help people utilize the security measures already in place (15:43) 
• Why there is hope; it’s not all doom and gloom in the security industry (23:09) 
• Why all leadership in the C-suite needs to understand what good security looks like (25:22)  

Mentions:

• Top Data Security Trends for 2022

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. Did you know, streaming now on Salesforce+ you can watch “Legends of Low Code”? In this series three teams of Trailblazers race to build the best low-code app for one of California's largest non-profits, Pacific Clinics. Check this out. https://www.salesforce.com/resources/videos/legends-of-low-code/   

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Our special Financial Week coverage continues with Nationwide CTO Jim Fowler. We’re bringing this episode back from 2020 because it’s chocked full of powerful insights and wisdom that are still true today. Jim helps us understand the true meaning of “digital transformation” and just as importantly, understand the necessity of transforming company culture to be more unified and thereby impactful. Enjoy! 

Tune in to learn:

• Why taking the jobs that no one else wants will propel your career. (01:02) 
• The scope of work for the CTO at Nationwide (06:05) 
• Why Digital Transformation is the most overused and most misunderstood term in the industry. (09:28) 
• How Nationwide thinks about dividing the work between AI and their employees. (25:10) 
• How we’re going to handle the masses of data now being collected (37:30) 
• What is YearUp and how is it helping? (40:42) 

Mentions:

• Career Advice for My Younger Selt - By Jim Fowler
• ​​From West Point to the C-Suite of Johnson & Johnson With CISO Marene Allison
• YearUp NonProfit 
• Open Tech Jobs at Nationwide

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. Did you know, streaming now on Salesforce+ you can watch “Legends of Low Code”? In this series three teams of Trailblazers race to build the best low-code app. Check this out... 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Upleveling the customer experience is a primary focus for legacy financial company, Prudential Financial. Stacey Goodman, EVP, and CIO at Prudential Financial describes what digital transformation looks like at a company with 145 years of history. She explains how her strategy for tech innovation is wed to what customers desire and delves into Prudential’s new way of thinking about team building and innovation. Enjoy this episode! 

Tune in to learn:

• About the opportunity Goodman seized by joining Prudential  (08:27)
• What Goodman is excited about bringing to the business (15:40)  
• Challenges and roadblocks Prudential is constantly overcoming (20:48)
• Attracting and retaining talent (23:05)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. Did you know, streaming now on Salesforce+ you can watch “Legends of Low Code”? In this series three teams of Trailblazers race to build the best low-code app. Check this out... 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

​Will practicing for an interview increase the chance of success for software engineer candidates? Mohit “Mo” Bhende, Co-Founder and CEO of Karat, suggests that allowing candidates to redo their interviews and providing feedback leads to higher success rates. Listen in to learn how Mo’s background as an executive at Microsoft led him to create a more effective interviewing process and how Karat is working with Serena Williams to help more Black software engineers break into the industry through its Brilliant Black Minds program.

Tune in to learn:

• The purpose of Karat and its Interviewing Cloud (05:38) 
• Why Karat offers redos for every candidate’s interview (08:38) 
• How the use of data can improve engineering hiring, including supporting Black candidates (17:30) 
• What Karat has discovered to make the interview process more effective  (32:54) 

Mention:

• Karat’s Brilliant Black Minds program

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. Did you know, streaming now on Salesforce+ you can watch “Legends of Low Code”? In this series three teams of Trailblazers race to build the best low-code app. Check this out... 

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Can AI truly make the world a better place? Mike Betzer, Hypergiant's CEO, shares how Hypergiant uses AI to shore up vital infrastructure, support the US military, and more. Learn more about how the software company will sometimes create hardware solutions to show the good that AI can do.

Tune in to learn:

• Hypergiant’s process for solving problems with AI (07:27) 
• About the need to invest in infrastructure (11:45) 
• How AI can help important decisions be made in real time (13:10) 
• How AI can be used to offset the impact of carbon (15:41) 
• How Hypergiant will create hardware/AI solutions to show what can be done (20:12) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What key factors make the tech products you use great? SC Moatti, Founder of Products That Count and Managing Partner at Mighty Capital, offers a wealth of knowledge from her experiences in the VC and tech worlds about creating fantastic products. She also shares that understanding function, design, and how to be a great leader are all a part of making an outstanding Chief Product Officer.

Tune in to learn:

• Three measures to define what makes a great product (12:09)
• The characteristics of a great Chief Product Officer (17:22)
• The skills it takes to be a Chief Product Officer (21:34) 
• A framework for thinking about how to create good products (32:05) 
• How much should product development prioritize function over form (37:21) 
• More about SC’s personal life, including musical talents, and advice for her younger self (43:53) 

Mentions:

• "Mobilized" by SC Moatti
• “The Growth Mindset” 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Do people really need to be very educated about crypto? Dan O’Prey, CPO of Crypto at Bakkt, suggests that crypto education is less important than creating beneficial products that are easy to use. Listen in for more insights concerning the blockchain and crypto arenas. 

Tune in to learn:

• What Bakkt provides (04:39)
• How Bakkt helps people get involved with crypto (11:46) 
• The benefits of Bitcoin and the blockchain (25:56) 
• How banks are now leaning into crypto (34:17) 
   

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Is it better to build your own foundation or build upon already strong foundations? Heather Shoemaker, the CEO and Co-Founder of Language I/O, shares how her company’s tool selects the best translation engine and then supplements that service with terminology specific to each customer/company. Learn how her passion for languages led to learning to code and eventually co-founding Language I/O.

Tune in to learn:

• How does Language I/O solve the complex reality of translating languages? (11:00)
• How does Language I/O integrate into customer service platforms (23:07) 
• What other industries/applications could language I/O help with? (24:48)  
• Are humans starting to support bots to serve customers? (31:39) 
• How does language I/O both embrace Wyoming and remote work? (33:32)  

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

How much of business success is about conviction? Raj De Datta, the CEO of and Co-Founder of Bloomreach, believes very strongly that we’re in “a first-party world” and that Bloomreach is set up to thrive in this environment. Tune in as Raj shares Bloomreach’s compelling story: “Bloomreach was a rocket ship and then it was nearly dead, and… it’s a rocket ship again.”

Tune in to learn:

• What’s Raj’s book “The Digital Seeker” about? (03:02)
• How does Bloomreach help design personalized customer experiences? (06:09)
• How does AI and data science help create these personalized experiences? (09:57)
• Can success ever be a problem? (17:01)
• What does Raj see as the future of personalization?  24:19:
• Are we in a first-party environment? 27:50:

Mentions:

• “The Digital Seeker: A Guide for Digital Teams to Build Winning Experiences”
• “Beyond the Status Quo With Raj De Datta, CEO and Co-Founder of Bloomreach” (Business X Factors podcast)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Can you imagine a future where contacting customer service does not elicit a groan or sigh of despair? This is the future that CEO Rowan Trollope is creating at Five9. Their cloud-based platform integrates modern AI and machine learning to efficiently intake customer problems and match them to effective customer solutions. Saving the business world almost a quarter of a trillion dollars annually in customer service costs is the goal and hiring for intellectual curiosity is part of the solution. 

Tune in to learn:

• What is Five9 and what does it do? (6:45)
• How we all benefit from fully integrated and automated customer service solutions. (8:55)
• How can the learnings of one industry serve all others by using AI? (17:11)
• How is machine learning empowering the democratization of technology through no-code solutions like Five9?  (22:35)
• How do we hire for the problems of the future? (31:23)
• How radically and how quickly can the customer service aspect of all businesses be transformed? (38:59)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by  Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What creates growth in a company — a flashy or a practical approach? Shailesh Kumar, SVP and Head of Technology at ClickUp, contends that a practical mindset helps companies scale. He also chats about how to organize teams, help them run efficiently, and set up a system so that different teams can learn from each other. Also, Shailesh shares a little about his passion for woodworking.

Tune in to learn:

• What interested Shailesh in ClickUp? (03:47)
• How does Shailesh advise companies to consider scaling? (07:54)
• How does ClickUp deal with security, including with 3rd-party apps? (17:17)
• How does Shailesh attract and retain talent?  (22:45)

Mentions:

• “Top Data Security Trends for 2022”

IT Visionaries is brought to you by  Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

When the world catches up to a business model that’s already been working well, then a company can really take off. Hemant Elhence, the President of Excellarate, describes how a cooperative, distributed software development model rooted in the company’s origins has positioned Excellerate to thrive in the cloud environment. Furthermore, he explains how society has now caught up with the concept of remote work. Hemant also chats about a few books that have really meant a great deal to him.

Tune in to learn:

• Why do customers go to Excellarate for help building software? (02:26)
• Why has Excellarate seen growth providing DevOps to customers? (06:31)
• What’s the history of the business? (11:59)
• What’s it like working with regulated businesses that could be targets for attacks?  (23:46)
• What does Hemant see as the future of software development? (27:43)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

As we train computers to complete repetitive tasks for us automatically, we need to be keenly aware of the biases we may be subconsciously programming. So, what questions should we be asking as consumers and employees in a world augmented by computer assistance? The Principle Architect of Ethical AI Practice at Salesforce, Kathy Baxter, and journalist Jacob Ward give guidance on creating a responsible AI ecosystem that prioritizes safety, privacy, and equality. This episode was published first by Blazing Trails, our sister podcast over at Salesforce, hosted by Michael Rivo.

Tune in to learn:

• How is AI changing the way that we think? (3:41)
• How are companies changing the way they think about the ethics of AI? (8:06)
• Whose responsibility is it to regulate the ethics of AI? (11:25)
• What is the current regulatory landscape for AI? (16:07)
• How should employees think about correcting bias in AI? (19:07)
• How can you build AI ethical awareness into your organization? (27:03)
• How are we using AI to help the environment? (35:15)

Mentions:

• The Loop: How Technology Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back
• Salesforce AI Ethics Model
• Benioff Ocean Initiative
• OECD AI Principles

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

The ocean is massive and powerful, and harnessing its energy has been difficult. Inna Braverman and her business partner, both with outsider perspectives, have worked to develop an elegant tech solution that can harness the continuous power of the moving seas. Their company, Eco Wave Power Ltd., is bringing their low-profile "floaters" that gather ocean energy to ports around the world, including in Gibraltar and Los Angeles. Also, hear Inna's personal story about how surviving the Chernobyl disaster has motivated her to make a positive impact.

Tune in to learn:

• How is Eco Wave Power harnessing ocean energy? (00:45)
• How does Eco Wave Power’s tech ultimately create electricity? (06:13)
• How did the original idea develop to use already existing structures on shore?  (13:58)
• Does the tech require a lot of maintenance to be sustained? (20:14)
• Is there private interest for this solution? (25:40)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by  Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

If you’re in a service industry, should you honor every client’s dream equally? According to Miles Ward, the CTO of SADA, that’s absolutely the correct business mindset. Miles also talks about the benefits companies are finding in the cloud and how it’s valuable to be an engineer who communicates well too. He even shares a little about his passion for playing a musical instrument called the electric sousaphone.

Tune in to learn:

• What’s the history of SADA? (04:14)
• What does Miles see customers wanting to do in the cloud? (11:28)
• What innovations are exciting to Miles? (19:18)
• Does SADA build applications for themselves? (23:37)  

Mentions:

• “What Twitter and friends prove about multi-cloud” (Check out “Miles-low’s Hierarchy of Tech Needs”)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Is being successful tied to being perpetually inquisitive? Vittorio Cretella, the CIO of Procter & Gamble, discusses how maintaining a posture of curiosity has been a constant throughout his career. Also, he chats about Procter & Gamble’s digital transformation at an international scale and that AI is now being used across the company. Listen in to learn a little about Vittorio’s passion for motorcycles too.

Tune in to learn:

• How is digital transformation manifesting at Procter & Gamble? (03:47)
• How does P&G manage to operate in so many countries? (10:29) 
• Is AI used across the entire company? (15:09)
• How might the consumer experience get better in the future? (17:39)
• What’s the balance for innovating quickly yet maintaining trust? (21:22)
• What is Vittorio most excited about in his role as CIO at P&G? (27:22)
• What sort of peers can Vittorio commiserate with and learn from? (30:04) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

How do you protect banks and their customers from bad actors now that banks are no longer just brick and mortar? Due to technological advances, banking services are increasingly digital and on mobile devices. Saul Van Beurden, the Head of Technology at Wells Fargo, chats about strategies to deal with cyber threats including educating customers and methods of devaluing data. He also talks about how Wells Fargo is improving NLP to better communicate with customers and why the future of banking at Wells Fargo will one day be entirely in the cloud. 

Tune in to learn: 

• Why does a technology-based industry still need brick-and-mortar buildings? (5:31)
• How is Wells Fargo improving NLP to better communicate with customers? (11:25)
• The importance of thinking for yourself when it comes to security (14:39)
• Why Data Devaluation can mitigate loss in a cyber attack (20:32)

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform. If this episode makes you want to go deeper into the data security world, check out Salesforce.com/datasecurity and download the IT Guide to Data Security and Governance to learn how to protect your customer data with Salesforce Security Portfolio.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

We’ve all heard about “cyberattacks” – it seems there is a new article or clickbait headline about them every day. But what can we do to stop them? Better yet – can we predict them before they even happen? David Monnier of Team Cymru is here this week on IT Visionaries to talk about cybersecurity, the importance of a “no-touch audit”, and how – when it comes to global cybersecurity – the best offense is always an active defense. 

Tunes in to learn: 

• Why you should care about global cybersecurity (5:43)
• How perspective can change the way we approach cyberattacks (8:22)
• How reconnaissance can turn the tables (12:20)
• Why a “no-touch audit” can be essential (22:50)
• What the next phase of cybersecurity will look like, according to experts (34:33)

Top Data Security Trends for 2022: Report

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform. If this episode makes you want to go deeper into the data security world, check out Salesforce.com/datasecurity and download the IT Guide to Data Security and Governance to learn how to protect your customer data with Salesforce Security Portfolio.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at 

mission.org

Can noticing repetitive aspects in systems help you to solve problems? John Gray, the CTO and CPO of InterVision Systems, suggests seeing “problem patterns” in business and technology can help to deliver solutions. He also explains that serving clients often involves synthesizing different tools rather than building totally tailor-made solutions. John also talks about his hobby flying remote control airplanes.  

Tune in to learn:

• What’s InterVision’s framework for assessing technology? (07:55)
• What makes a recovery system a great one? (11:15)
• What’s scary to John from a security standpoint? (15:34)
• How did John get interested in technology? (20:05)
• What’s the value in seeing patterns? (26:32)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Not many people ask about where their energy comes from. We want it to be clean, but what does that really mean? For decades, no one has really had a choice – but Kiran Bhatraju, CEO of Arcadia – the first nationwide digital utility – is changing all of that. Our modern society will continue to drive us to find better options to fuel our tech-savvy and on-the-go lifestyles. Changing the behemoth known as “the grid” is paramount to our success in the future. 

Tune in to learn: 

• Why energy needs software (1:24) 
• Why the energy business needs disrupting (6:04) 
• How data leads to cleaner energy (11:17) 
• How to innovate in the face of regulations (29:00) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What can help reduce fear about cybersecurity threats? Experts with skills to mitigate these threats can instill courage in us. Derek Hardy, CVP and CISO of AMD, provides his expert take on the current cybersecurity threat environment given his work securing both hardware and software elements. Also, he shares how a movie about hacking inspired his career path.

Tune in to learn:

• Is there an AMD chip in almost every home? (01:51)
• What’s different for network security and IC security? (05:59)
• What does Derek see as the current cybersecurity climate? (11:40)
• What sort of employees does AMD need? (16:03) 
• How did Derek get into the security arena? (21:54)
• Will zero trust slow down processes? (26:24) 

IT Visionaries is powered by Salesforce Platform. If this episode makes you want to go deeper into the data security world, check out Salesforce.com/datasecurity and download the IT Guide to Data Security and Governance to learn how to protect your customer data with Salesforce Security Portfolio.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What if the parking process was better so there would be less traffic congestion? Gianni Strul Maxemin, the Founder and CEO of Pied Parker asked that question and then came up with a solution. Gianni explains how his company is building out a system that can help individual drivers, parking management customers, and even entire cities manage their parking needs and increase transportation efficiency.

Tune in to learn:

• How does Pied Parker work? (01:14)
• Can Pied Parker reduce traffic congestion? (08:29)
• What led Gianni to focus on this parking and traffic problem? (16:40)
• What were some difficulties in disrupting the parking business? (18:58)
• What are some compelling Pied Parker use cases? (23:17)
• Why does Pied Parker use edge computing? (27:02)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

In today’s world, knowledge is at our fingertips – you’re always only seconds away from learning how to bake a banana flambé or craft your own standing desk. But even with all this access, it can be hard to find the right learning avenue – and that is especially true for professional skills. That’s where Barnaby Dorfman of Go1 comes in. Go1 is a platform that brings courses for professional development, wellbeing, and compliance to employees everywhere. The way we train our workforce is changing and Go1 is hoping to help close the education gap. 

Tunes in to learn: 

• Why is Go1 different from other e-learning platforms? (0:24)
• Is telework here to stay? (10:10)
• How is Go1 trying to be smarter about helping people upskill? (23:14)
• What’s next for this digital learning platform? (28:19)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Innovators don’t see limitations – they see challenges. And that’s exactly what happened when Andrew Feldman and his team at Cerebras Systems were told that it was impossible to build a computer chip that could deliver the same performance as hundreds of graphics processing units. They tackled that challenge head-on, and have created the CS-2, the fastest AI computer in existence. This mega-sized chip is being used to tackle the world’s most pressing problems. None of this would have been possible without a bit of audacity and what Andrew calls “fearless engineering”. Dive into the thought process of a status-quo challenger on this episode of IT Visionaries. 

Tune in to learn: 

• What is Cerebras doing that others can’t? (0:23)
• What is the difference between a regular computer and an “AI” computer? (2:34)
• How does a bigger chip make a difference? (6:55)
• How do our work habits affect tech? (8:48)
• What is the mindset of someone who tackles unsolvable problems? (13:34)
• How is AI shifting the way we approach healthcare? (14:30)
• How is creating new hardware similar to raising a baby? (21:05)
• Why does a faster computer change everything? (23:21)
• Will Cerebras ever try to go even faster? (27:43)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

What good is a hybrid meeting if you are remote and can’t see and hear what’s most important? Mark Schnittman, the Co-Founder and CTO of Owl Labs, breaks down how his company is creating products to help make hybrid meetings more meaningful for all participants. Learn about how Mark landed on the idea of creating a camera that could better capture the in-person meeting experience for remote teammates. 

Tune in to learn:

• What’s the origin story of Owl Labs? (03:54)
• What were some of the technical difficulties in building the product early on? (6:22)
• How much did customers influence the development of the product? (24:32)
• How did sales begin for the initial product? (29:27)
• How does Owl Labs decide what updates to make? (33:45)
• What does the future look like for Owl Labs? (40:17)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Even though detection is well-intentioned, it ends up being a losing security strategy because, by its very nature, it is responsive. But organizations and individuals need to have proactive security measures that keep their systems and devices safe. Dr. Ian Pratt, the Global Head of Security for Personal Systems at HP, describes how virtual machines can mitigate inevitable threats. He also shares about his way into the security sector. 

Tune in to learn:

• Why is endpoint security so essential? (04:19)
• What security issues really concern Dr. Pratt? (07:22)
• Is security detection always going to be reactive? (11:40)
• What’s a virtual machine? (15:40)
• Are the use of virtual machines becoming common? (18:25)
• How did Dr. Pratt’s career interests develop? (24:05)
• How does Dr. Pratt think about securing so many types of IoT devices? (28:55)

IT Visionaries is powered by The Salesforce Platform. If this episode makes you want to go deeper into the data security world, check out Salesforce.com/datasecurity and download the IT Guide to Data Security and Governance to learn how to protect your customer data with Salesforce Security Portfolio.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Any industry can get into a routine that works to a degree but ends up being inefficient. It’s no different with development — there are the ways coding has historically been done and then there are new possibilities on how the process might change. Shanea Leven, the Co-Founder and CEO of CodeSee, suggests that a visual coding tool can revolutionize development for engineers but also be useful across other areas of a business where people can use a better understanding of what’s being coded. 

Tune in to learn:

• What does Leven mean by a tool that visualizes code? (01:18)
• What can this code visualization tool be compared to? (03:37)
• What sparked the idea for this product? (05:55) 
• Did Leven initially think she was going to start her own company? (09:49)
• What has the feedback been from users? (14:29)
• How can CodeSee change software development moving forward? (22:08)
• How did Leven get into tech and development? (28:43) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Marketplaces for carbon offsets sound like a great idea, but may seem a little shrouded in mystery as to how they actually help the environment. Brent Thumlert, the Managing Director of Software and Technology at Radicle, helps to demystify these sorts of marketplaces. He describes how Radicle helps users account for their carbon footprints and then, ultimately, reduce their carbon impact on the environment. He also shares how he entered the industry and what motivates his desire to help sustain the planet.

Tune in to learn:

• How does a marketplace work for the buying and selling of carbon offsets? (01:19) 
• How does this sort of market actually help benefit the Earth? (05:10)
• What kind of companies are using what Radicle is offering? (11:00)
• How does Radicle help companies recognize their carbon footprints? (15:10) 
• How long does it take to get a result from data concerning creating carbon offsets? (18:01) 
• What does Thumlert see for the future of the carbon offset industry and for Radicle? (21:00)
• How did Thumlert get into this industry? (24:30) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

​​When the majority of an industry zeroes in on one part of the market, focus on the other part. In this episode, that’s a key message from Gary Guseinov, CEO of RealDefense. Guseinov reveals how RealDefense, which is a holding company, has directed its attention on the consumer security and privacy market while the greater security industry has focused on the enterprise market. From his position as CEO of RealDefense in conjunction with his experience as a mentor to startups, Guseinov also offers an insightful perspective as to the current state of how artificial intelligence can be used for security purposes.

Tune in to learn:

• What is RealDefense looking for in companies it considers acquiring? (00:47)
• What cybersecurity areas does Guseinov see as potential opportunities? (03:01)
• What captivated Guseinov’s interest in the cybersecurity market? (07:54)
• What might simplifying cybersecurity for consumers look like? (16:43) 
• What is RealDefense’s goal in helping consumers with privacy? (20:12)
• Is AI at a place to make security decisions for us as consumers? (25:00)
• What kinds of cybersecurity innovations are exciting to Guseinov? (29:56)

Mentions:

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Frontline workers are people who work hard and, oftentimes, heroically. They perform essential services that help society to function. Just as frontline workers support society, they also need support to stay safe at work. James Simpson, CTO of SafetyCulture shares how technology can be individualized so companies can create useful safety processes for their unique industries and workers.

Tune in to learn:

• What’s the history of SafetyCulture’s work? (04:24)
• How does the product work in terms of hardware and software? (05:14)
• How does SafetyCulture make the platform easy to use for companies? (09:01)
• How does the platform help create a safe work culture? (17:00)
• What technologies is SafetyCulture investing in for the future? (19:22)
• What is SafetyCulture doing to scale securely? (27:07)
• How is SafetyCulture recruiting talent? (30:42)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

If companies don't truly know the elements in their products, then they are set up for trouble. According to Brian Fox, Co-Founder, SVP and CTO of Sonatype, without this knowledge they won’t know how to address issues or if bad actors have infiltrated their products with disruptive parts. Brian advises that all aspects in the supply chain for software must be identified and secured just like any physical product. 

Tune in to learn:

• How does Sonatype help companies make better supply chain decisions for their software? (01:56)
• How did Sonatype evolve to focus on supply chain security for software? (05:57)
• How did Sonatype help address the Log4j vulnerability?? (15:32)
• How does Fox describe bad actors using what he calls “malicious components”? (23:25)
• Can automation inadvertently amplify attacks? (29:05)
• How to move fast yet deal with bad actors? (33:38)

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Having data and artificial intelligence by themselves is not the answer to business success. Instead, it is about being able to use AI insights to make the correct decisions. Richard Potter, CEO of Peak, describes a customized yet systematic process where AI can create predictive models to inform supply chain determinations.  

Tune in to learn:

• What is “decision intelligence”? (00:46)
• In what areas can decision intelligence be applied? (02:30)
• How is Peak different from its competitors? (05:27)
• How does Peak help companies receive results quickly? (09:22)
• How can machine learning use data to help make forecasts? (15:27)
• How much data is needed to drive AI predictions? (19:55)
• Is AI impacting unifying tastes across cultures? (25:29)

Mentions:

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

So many tech companies take a slash and burn approach in order to get their product to market as quickly as possible. Dan Sturman, CTO at Roblox, shares why Roblox takes a much more deliberate approach concerning its platform that is the foundation for many different worlds.

Tune in to learn:

• How did Roblox start out as a world-builder? (02:19)
• Why does Roblox use physics as a creative baseline? (04:59)
• Why is Roblox building its own cloud? (10:16)
• How can Roblox apply to education? (15:11)
• What’s the future of Roblox and the market? (20:05)
• How does Roblox recruit innovatively? (26:46)
• How does Roblox deal with security, privacy, and protecting users? (30:33)

Mentions:

• Roblox
• Roblox’s Corporate Site

IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform. If you love the thought leadership on this podcast, Salesforce has even more meaty IT thoughts to chew on. Take your company to the next level with in-depth research and trends right in your inbox. Subscribe to a newsletter tailored to your role at Salesforce.com/newsletter.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

AI and machine learning are part of the solution in many cybersecurity products. The issue is that machine learning tends to take a lot of time. Cyber threats are moving quickly so computers need to learn fast to stop them. Chuck Everette, the Director of Cybersecurity Advocacy at Deep Instinct, breaks down the difference between machine learning and deep learning. 

Main Takeaways

• Deep Learning Versus Machine Learning: As Everette describes the difference, machine learning is about a human delivering items alongside their classifications to a computer; whereas with deep learning, a computer is able to determine these classifications by itself. Deep learning, therefore, according to Everette’s description, can reduce the human role in the learning process while also increasing the learning speed for the computer. Though this technology has applications in security, certainly deep learning can have a profound impact across a range of applications. 
• Weaponized AI: Everette tells the scary truth that attackers are now so sophisticated that they are using their own AI as a weapon, and that these attackers are “more patient these days.” This reality means that defenders have to keep upping their game to thwart these attacks. In any industry, it’s wise to remember that just because you are pressing an advantage, it doesn’t mean your adversary isn’t doing the same thing. 
• From Games to Cybersecurity: Reflecting back on his career, Everette points to a love of gaming as his initial step toward cybersecurity. Although he had a winding career path from a love of games to cybersecurity, it is interesting to consider how one passion, that others might even disregard, can eventually lead to an entire career. 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Mark Nelson is the President and CEO of Tableau, a company dedicated to democratizing analytics and putting data back in the hands of consumers. But while this digital pioneer may be excited about the technical side of things, he’s more excited about how accessing data (and asking the right questions) can evolve the human endeavor. 

Tune in to learn:

• What was the Golden Age of Data? (8:00)
• What are data specialists thinking about A.I.? (10:00)
• What is The ‘Big Three’ approach to expansion and why should you use it? (15:40)
• How is data a force for good? (23:03)

Mentions:

• Data 10 Million Challenge
• The Data Leadership Collaborative

As always, IT Visionaries is brought to you by The Salesforce Platform, and the folks at Salesforce Platform are excited about Tableau's Data Leadership Collaborative. You can get involved in data leadership conversations at DataLeadershipCollaborative.com and connect with like-minded leaders to help each other progress on the journey to build data-driven organizations.

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Working backward from problem to customer solution is the method that Harini Gokul uses in her role leading customer success at Amazon Web Services. Understanding what it means to be “customer-obsessed” is Harini’s favorite part of being on a team with “big builder energy.” Also, she describes some of the cloud-central innovations on the horizon that she is most excited about. 

Tune in to learn:

• How to turn a passion into a brand. (2:00)
• What does AWS do? (0:36)
• Why every millisecond matters in the customer journey. (4:02)
• What’s different about AWS culture? (8:12) 
• What does it take to get companies to the cloud in a way that works for them? (21:13) 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Mission.org is a media studio producing content for world-class clients. Learn more at mission.org.

Empathy, in a time of stress or decision-making, goes a long way in making someone feel cared for and understood. What if the businesses providing our services, flights, meals, etc, were already thinking about our wants and needs, and laying out options that apply to us. This kind of consumer-focused empathy, driven by user data, is the trait that Genesys’s, CEO Tony Bates, deemed so important that he made it a part of the corporate decision-making process. As Tony describes in this podcast, and in his book, “Empathy In Action,” times have changed in terms of what consumers want and expect from companies that provide services to them.

Main Takeaways

• Experience As a Service: If you think about the customer experience as one of the services that you provide, that creates room to allocate more resources to improving it.  Bates found that priortizing and making space for experience as a service helped them strategize at Genesys about problem-solving in more individualized ways. 
• Data Informs a More Empathetic Customer Experience: As Bates describes, every consumer has unique needs for customer service and interaction. Companies can streamline resources to be there for customers who want more personalized attention and also easily serve customers who are more suited for an automated process on an app or chat experience. Empathetic listening and analysis of data can paint a picture of what a customer wants to experience and how you can help them solve their problems. 
• Empathy in the Decision Making Equation:  A company framework for decision-making that is built on empathy ensures that empathy is actually implemented through the company. Bates is keen on the believe that quantifying the value of empathy with a number makes it easier to equate with traditional business values like efficiency.  

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Top athletes duke it out to outperform their opponents; usually only winning by a slim margin. That margin is what matters, and part of having a competitive edge means having high-value information on what your competitors are doing. Crayon offers competitive intelligence and product marketing to its customers, and Erica Jenkins, their Chief Product Officer, shares that doing this well requires great communication.

Main Takeaways

• Data Insight Helps Create Magical Products: There are a million different problems and a million different software products that could help solve them, but resources are limited. Using data to help determine where the needs are greatest can help you as a product leader to guide your team towards the most profitable product solutions. 
• You Need to Repeat Yourself: Some would say repeating yourself, even often, is necessary. Repetition helps other people remember important information and act correspondingly if acting is required. For Erica, rephrasing her ideas is a way to know if her message is being communicated correctly.  
• You Need to Spell It Out: Don’t assume that just because the product you’ve built looks shiny and seems intuitive, people will readily understand how to use it. Even if it is painstakingly user-friendly, it never hurts to spell things out. Take advantage of creating walk-through tutorials for your products. It creates more value for your customers and highlights the features of the product. 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

We’ve all had those repetitive work tasks that must be done, are a total pain, and waste time too. Chaim Mazal, SVP of Technology and CISO at Kandji, makes the case for automation being used to free people up so that they can focus on more important work. 

Main Takeaways

• Automating for Freedom: There’s lots of talk about automation as a part of platforms and products. Chaim lays out in simple terms that the reason for automation is about freeing people up so they can drill down on more important work. It’s helpful to remember that humanity should be the guiding light at the core of any technological innovation. The question ought to be: How is this tech serving people. Or even better: How is this tech serving the world?
• From Customer to SVP and CISO: For Chaim, he came across Kandji in a previous job and Kandji was able to help him solve problems he was having managing devices for the prior company on an international scale. First of all, this is a really cool story. Secondly, it’s a reminder that employees can come from any place and that passion can be uncovered in any situation. 
• Building Products: Chaim makes a fascinating point about data and strategy. He suggests that many of the companies that he worked at previously focused on using data to make products better. Yet he also describes how he likes to think more on the strategic side of things. Strategy, for him, at least in part, seems to be more about bringing in knowledgeable people; then thinking together about where the overall industry might be headed and acting accordingly.

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Metaphorically, the tech security world tends to look over a city-scape and hones in on a few shiny skyscrapers, protects them, and declares victory. These big buildings represent the largest institutions. But oftentimes, all the interconnected infrastructure of smaller homes remains unprotected — the smaller homes, in this context, are the SMBs and other various organizations. Sinan Eren, the VP of Zero Trust Access at Barracuda, broke down how security is interconnected across all institutions, regardless of size. 

Main Takeaways

• Attackers Have a Market Now Too: Eren explains the challenges around the reality that cyber attackers have their own market now. Gone are the days when a singular attacker might be responsibile for conducting all elements of a criminal act. Instead, Eren reveals that an entire criminal community facilitates these acts. 
• The Long Tail Must Be Protected: Eren points out that larger entities that have security in place can still be vulnerable through interactions with smaller and less secure entities in its supply chain. These smaller organizations include SMBs that often interact with larger companies. Furthermore, Eren suggests that there can be an ethical component to make sure that the entire community is secured, not only the largest companies and institutions. 
• How to Secure SMBs: Since it is clear, from Eren’s point of view, that large businesses and SMBs are interconnected and therefore all must be secured or none will be, the question becomes: What is the best way to secure SMBs? Eren contends that security must be provided to SMBs through MSPs rather than as direct sales to SMBs. His argument is a very reasonable one — SMBs have too much on their plates already to handle security themselves.

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Likely on the phone in your hand, while you’re playing this very podcast, is an app or site using Akamai in the background, so that you can listen, search, and discover new information as fast as you can think, type, or speak. Accelerating the delivery of the right content and blocking potentially harmful content are the nitty-gritty details that Akamai solves to give you a safe and seamless experience. Leading the charge to improve security and accelerate connectivity is Dr. Robert Blumofe, Executive Vice President and CTO of Akamai. 

Main Takeaways

• Power and Protect Together: A common problem with security is that it slows things down for users and causes them to want to avoid using the security measures in the first place. To solve this problem, Dr. Blumofe explains that Akamai has integrated security and performance products on its platform so that they can work cooperatively. The lesson here for any sort of business is to constantly be considering how security and performance can function seamlessly so that neither is hindered by the other,
• Endpoint to Endpoint Mindset: Since the world is becoming more remote and more open, security must adapt to this environment. According to Dr. Blumofe, this means the framework of being on a network versus off a network is no longer really applicable. Instead, it is more helpful to consider how apps are connected together from one endpoint to another.
• The Office as a Coffee Shop: You can think about a new problem, like an increase in remote work, as being stressful, or as a chance to reframe it as an opportunity. Dr. Blumofe points out that returning to the office for face-to-face time will be even more purposeful — sort of like hanging out at the coffee shop with colleagues. He describes solving for the new remote office network as a high-performance coffee shop as being a “freeing and enabling concept.” The new perimeter-less architecture of access can actually facilitate collaboration.

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

The next time you’re Sunday-brunching at your local breakfast joint and perusing the menu for Avocado Toast, you’re not likely to be disappointed. Restaurants want to know the foods that you are craving to keep you happy and coming back. The sooner they can jump on trends, the better edge they’ll have over the place down the street. Trendy foods, dishes, and ingredients are not easy to predict, but Jack Li, the CEO of Datassential has a deep passion behind his work for doing just that. 

Main Takeaways

• Big Players Jumping Onto Early Stage Trends: As Li points out, more companies and large corporations are reacting to early-stage food trends in the landscape. Things are so competitive that any advantage a restaurant or chain can have they'll take it. When competition is fierce, even the small details can become cut-throat. Business is about the bottom line, after all. 
• Seeing Opportunity for Art and Science to Align: According to Li, he and two of his “early business partners,” had a clear sense that they could combine their passion for the artful aspect of food with science to increase efficiency. The lesson here is that often art and science are not in different camps altogether. Instead, art and science can be integrated together for each part to sharpen the other.
• Tracking Data to Predict the Flavors of the Future: Having data is one thing, but sifting through it for potential predictive insight is what it’s really all about. Datassential is taking a close look at its data to attempt to determine what food flavors and trends are tracking up and can really break through in the market. There’s gut instinct, of course, but insights drawn from data to forecast food trends can really help businesses make quality decisions. Using data to predict where a market is heading cuts across all industries.  

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

The world is changing quickly, and the everyday corporate landscape is changing with it. Every company has to prove compliance with different governmental agencies, from everything from environmental reports down to payroll. That’s where Lisa Edwards the COO at Diligent, comes in, bringing her focus on using technology to improve the process for all payers. Every company has governmental rules and regulations they must follow and governmental rules to adhere to. Audits can be tedious and can take valuable time away from innovation and growth. Edwards brings incredible passion and expertise in using technology to improve the process. 

Main Takeaways

• Adapting to global and evolving client needs: At a corporation like Diligent with branches all over the world, adapting to the different regulations of different regions, is complex and nuanced and is one of the strengths of Diligent’s work according to Edwards. The mindset of preparing for current client needs and preempting future desires continues to drive the company forward. 
• Corporate governance to lead a wave of social change: Diligent creates a streamlined interface where departments can interact with transparency, and this has allowed for positive changes in the cooperate structure. They have created ways for companies to diversify their boardrooms which, it turns out, makes for increased profit margins as well as improved social capital. It is also preparing for a very near-future reality where a company’s environmental impact needs to be reported and monitored. 
• Improved operations mean faster, more meaningful growth: Operations might seem like the least interesting part of a business, but a streamlined system is, according to Edwards, the key to freeing a business to fly as high as it can. Without worrying about regulatory snafus, a business can just focus on what it does best: providing the best goods and/or services to the consumer. 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

In an industry that relies on being ahead of the curve, the ability to see the potential in new innovations is a necessity. Eric Anderson, Partner of Scale Venture Partners knows how to look ahead, and gives us an inside look at how a cutting-edge venture capital firm finds and funds new technology that benefits the everyday user. 

Main Takeaways

• The depth of the problem is more important than the solution: According to Anderson, it’s important to come in with the empathy needed to sort out the problem set of any particular company, because innovations are grown out of the solutions. It might be intuitive to think that quick fixes mean quick growth, but Anderson cautions against it. Digging in and finding the deeper problems is well worth it, because longer solutions often lead to more meaningful expansions. 
• Young insiders might be the key to innovation: While anyone can have a great idea, Anderson points out that it might be the younger players in older, “sleepier” industries that wind up being disrupters. He points out how as a child of dental distributors he was quick to see the need for a new way to distribute raw materials and bring in a new solution. 
• Software Vs. Content: While, historically, consumers have been more interested in buying content over software, Anderson says that the small sale might change that. We shouldn’t ignore the power of the one-dollar design app you can carry on your phone – it might change the way people value software. 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Setting up a network at home can devolve into a stream of choice words while pulling out your hair. A sudden, global shift to remote and hybrid work can lead to the same frustration for a number of reasons that may or may not include setting up a router. Morgan Teachworth, the VP of Engineering & Supply Chain at Cisco Meraki, suggests that his company was ideally positioned to support a hybrid workflow.

Main Takeaways

• Supporting Hybrid Workflows: It’s obvious that the working world has shifted to many more fully remote or hybrid models. Morgan shares how Cisco Meraki was in a good place to help people from home set up networks easily with what he describes as “plug and play” options. With so much of the workforce under strain, any products that quickly make working from home easier and more secure are valuable to employees and their companies. 
• Straddling Engineering and Supply Chain: Being the VP of Engineering & Supply Chain is a pretty unique job title for Morgan. It affords him the opportunity to connect both worlds together. Fundamentally, it makes sense that any person who builds hardware ought to also be considering the supply chain. Though it may not always be easy, doing so will strengthen products.    
• Needing Engineers With Good People Skills: Teachworth describes how Cisco Meraki engineers embed with outside manufacturers to work as a team to produce products. He makes the point that it is important that these engineers are able to work well with these contractors. Even more importantly, he chats about how these relational skills can be developed when assisted by communicative management. This mentality can certainly be helpful across industries. On one hand, leaders need to find employees that have good relationship skills. On the other hand, these skills can also be leveled-up through clear conversations and training.
• Innovations in intelligence: In terms of future innovations, Morgan points out two primary areas concerning intelligence. The first is intelligence at the edge in terms of devices and gaining more insight into the physical world. The other intelligence aspect is gaining a greater understanding of what’s happening beyond one’s network into other areas of the world, and what he calls the “pipes,” since so much of what’s occurring is interrelated. Each of these types of intelligence could provide actionable insight to initiate changes.
• Democratizing Access: Many people still do not have network access or the ability to use the internet. This is true in the United States and around the world. Morgan contends that working toward democratization is essential. Making easy to use products can be helpful but they must be broadly shared. Morgan explains that leaning into the edge must be a part of the solution to democratize access for the entire world. 

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Trucking in this country is a big deal. It’s a massive industry ripe for disruption because of its scale and the fact that there is plenty of room for technological advancement. According to Jairam Ranganathan, the SVP of Product at KeepTruckin, fleet management is also an area where a company can make a huge, positive impact.

Main Takeaways

• Ripe for Disruption and Opportunity: Clearly, the commercial fleet industry is massive. Due to its size and also its fragmentation, innovations do take time. On the other hand, there is an incredible need for innovation and the potential to make a real impact in the fleet management space.
• Saving Lives and Increasing Quality of Life: According to Ranganathan, the exciting aspect of making a difference in fleet management comes down to helping people. He describes the satisfaction that is derived from saving lives on the road and from helping truck drivers have a better work experience. There’s a lesson here that can cut across all industries — helping others is a high value and is very motivating too.
• A.I. Cameras: A.I. cameras are one such innovation that Ranganathan is working on at KeepTruckin that can increase safety and save lives. Ranganathan shares how A.I. cameras can provide life-saving information in real time. Where sometimes it may be difficult to easily quantify the benefit of A.I., here is a crystal clear example of how A.I. can be used to better human life.
• Fleet Management Integration: Ranganathan suggests that the fleet management world was fairly atomized when KeepTruckin came on the scene. He explains that KeepTruckin made a decision when entering the market to focus on integrated products. KeepTruckin creates hardware and software products as well as diverse applications. To make a dent in a market among specialized companies, creating a more integrated product line makes sense to offer more utility and ease for customers.

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Developing enterprise apps quickly is essential for business success, and securing data during the development process is imperative too. Jedidiah Yueh, the Founder and CEO of Delphix, suggests that though not as many people are talking about securing data in the app development process, they should be. Even more so, he argues they must secure this data or face huge consequences. 

Main Takeaways

• Something People Need to Talk About: Talking about data security is all the rage. But according to Yueh, securing development data is not discussed as much. Yueh contends that this lack of attention creates security vulnerabilities that bad actors can exploit. He believes that automated platforms built on zero trust principles can mitigate such risks.
• Out With the Old in With the New: The old way of testing apps in development involved a group of people all helping to gather production data and then copy that to the development territory. Of course, with so many hands in the process, the data was not very secure. Now, a platform, like Delphix, can make that process automatic; therefore, more secure. 
• Setting Loftier IT Goals: Yueh argues that IT leaders are not setting high enough goals in terms of developing products quickly enough. In a conversation about his book, “Disrupt or Die,” he explains that the rate of acceleration is much faster than the typical business cycle so leaders must adapt the pace of their goals accordingly.

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Developing physical products quickly is what it’s all about in a fast-paced world. What slows down the development speed and drives up cost are the materials and the time it takes to see if a concept works. Using digital simulations, alongside predictive analytics, increases speed while lowering costs. Prith Banerjee, the Chief Technology Officer at Ansys, makes the point that the precise capabilities of simulations today are providing the power to create new products from the micro to the macro.

Main Takeaways

• The Appeal of Digital Simulations: The old process of developing a product would involve lots of different versions and materials. With the use of a digital simulation, in other words, a digital twin, all these trial and error versions can play out in the digital arena. Doing so increases development speed and reduces cost.
• Academia and Industry: Academia, at its best, projects forward into the future new possibilities that are later implemented across industries. Therefore, forward-thinking industries ought to have a motivation to connect to academia to offer resources so that academic institutions can strive for innovations. Ansys is partnering with a number of academic institutions to make its simulation software available for free.    
• Exciting Simulations Now and in the Future: Banerjee mentions current digital simulation use cases ranging from the oil industry to electrification of cars to heating and cooling huge buildings. Furthermore, he shares excitement in the healthcare area because, right now, there is an ability to simulate a heart that is having a problem functioning to see if a pacemaker will solve the issue. With this level of precision, one can imagine all manner of encouraging applications for simulations both now and in the future of healthcare and in many other areas 

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A company’s position about digital transformation could be out with the old and in with the new. But, generally, if a product or service has existed for a long time, that’s because it has held its value. In a legacy business with good values and a deep tradition, digitization of services is more about improving respected systems as well as innovating with a forward-looking mindset. Stacey Goodman, Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Prudential Financial, describes her strategy for transforming the digital experience at Prudential.

Main Takeaways

• Transforming a Legacy Company: It’s a big lift to digitally transform a legacy company such as Prudential, which has existed for 145 years. But a company with good values and an established track record of delivering for customers has a great foundation on which to build upon. In other words, challenges are opportunities. One challenge that Prudential constantly faces is scale combined with the complexity of its life insurance and annuities products. Furthermore, a company with so much history also has a high volume of products that must be managed.
• Marriage Between Customer and CIO Priorities: Most customers want more access at the touch of their fingertips. Prudential customers want to be able to see their assets whenever they want; particularly, during times of economic uncertainty. Customers desire the freedom to explore and make their own choices yet advisement help when needed. As CIO, Goodman’s goals are in support of what customers desire. For instance, she cares about making sure customers can easily get their password, or that robotic advice is readily available when customers want help.
• Culture and Dynamic Work Attracts Talent: Goodman has a unique mindset regarding attracting and retaining talent at Prudential. Fundamentally, she sees the company having a good culture and providing interesting work. She makes the point that sometimes startup culture and work does not always meet the hype and that working at Prudential can provide employees a comfortable environment. An established company with well-defined structures in place can support its workers. She sees Prudential as the sort of place where employees want to be.

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The data science field is expanding because so many businesses and other institutions require skilled workers who can manage data as well as provide insights. Companies and students are clamoring for more academic programs. There is great need, but academic institutions are still transitioning to meet the demand. Dr. David Bader, Distinguished Professor and Director of the Institute for Data Science at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, explains how his school is leading the charge to create opportunities for more students to study data science

Main Takeaways

• Connecting Data and Graphs: A current area of focus concerning data science for Bader and his institution is taking huge amounts of data and associating it with corresponding graphs. This process helps provide context to the data so insights can be gleaned.
• Arriving at Insights With Less Data: One difficulty with gaining insights is that typically it takes a lot of data points to make sense of a significant occurrence. Often, in the real world, insights need to be determined faster and with less data. Consider the archetype of the malevolent lone wolf who may have not had done the behavior previously. The answer is two-fold in order to stop a lone wolf type of situation. One, create more context to whatever data is obtainable. Second, consider data that may not be the exact same behavior but is still relevant.
• Academia Is Rising to the Challenge: All manner of institutions now have massive amounts of data and need people to manage it and provide insights. Academia may be somewhat slow to change but there is a push from companies and from students for more data science programs. These sorts of programs are growing throughout higher education but there is much more room for expansion.

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Every company wants to grow their market. But in order to expand into another region, one corner of the market has to be secured first. Only from this position of utility and stability can a business secure other territories. Todd Olson, the CEO of Pendo, explains his strategy.

Main Takeaways

• Creating a New Product Market: Many companies disrupt a current market. It’s another category altogether to create a new product market. Although it’s a great problem to have with a ton of upside, one area of focus must be on educating prospective buyers. Of course, having an effective product that’s easy to implement is the best pitch. Pendo was able to provide its software product to businesses easily and without involving developers. This helped give Pendo a foot in the door to prove what it could do.
• Strategizing for Future Growth: Pendo’s plans for growth are educative. One side of the approach is to continue to sell current products to new markets; both nationally and internationally. The other side is to develop new products that will further benefit existing customers. Furthermore, it’s intriguing how Pendo’s product has moved from SaaS B2B clients to other arenas as those individuals who’ve used the product have moved into different industries and brought Pendo with them.
• Representing Raleigh: Finding and retaining top talent is a concern for many businesses today. Pendo has an interesting angle because it is located in Raleigh, North Carolina. In Raleigh, there’s natural beauty, a low cost of living, and also access to the talent coming out of many of the colleges and universities in the region. Although Pendo is based in Raleigh, it has offices in New York and San Francisco to utilize the talent in those areas as well.

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Passwords are the worst things ever. Okay, maybe that’s a bit hyperbolic, but they are pretty annoying. Here are the top hits of their most obnoxious qualities: One, they cause friction to get things done. Two, who can remember all their passwords? Three, it’s easy for bad actors to steal them. Four, practically everything requires a password now, so there are just too many. Mickey Boodaei, the CEO of Transmit Security, also agrees that passwords are terrible, but he has a solution to get rid of them.

Main Takeaways

• The Problems With Passwords: Passwords have become ubiquitous. Despite the good intention behind them to foster security, they remain cumbersome and ineffective. The layers added to passwords to make them more secure are insufficient. Two-factor authentication remains vulnerable to bad actors. Though biometric authentication is a helpful technology, many apps that attempt to harness it still have a password underneath the biometrics.
• Getting Rid of Passwords: Biometric data held on secure devices is part of the solution to move people beyond passwords. The data on a private device is very secure overall. Furthermore, it is possible to create trust between devices to provide access to applications, etc.
• Cryptographic Keys: Biometric data on a secure device can then be used for authentication through the creation of parallel cryptographic keys — a private key that stays with the device and a corresponding public key connected to an application. Using this technology, the private key always remains secure on the individual device. This makes it very difficult for bad actors to access any data of import.  

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Just like there’s too much junk on Earth, we’re sending up too much junk into space now too.  As private enterprise gains more access to space, even more satellites are launched up there —  taking up space. It’s a real problem with the potential to get worse as businesses have greater interest and access to get their gear into space. Bruno Carvalho, the Director of D-Orbit, contends that the answer is better space logistics in order to support space sustainability. 

Main Takeaways

• Space Sustainability: Space is filling up fast. The concern for space collisions and the dangers of debris is real. Sustainable solutions concerning satellites must be developed and implemented because their numbers will only be increasing.
• Space Taxis: D-Orbit has essentially developed a space taxi system to put satellites in their final orbital positions. These taxis can have additional applications after they have completed their taxiing missions. For instance, this sort of vehicle could perhaps be used to pick up space refuse. They also relay important alert information back to Earth more quickly.
• Partnering with AWS: Partnering with AWS enables D-Orbit, like many companies, to reduce its own need for infrastructure. Also, the use of the AWS Ground Stations help reduce delay by increasing the speed at which D-Orbit can access its data via the cloud.

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Running fast is good but not headfirst into a brick wall. Similarly, software development needs to move fast, but moving too fast typically is not secure and can cause headaches. Furthermore, old security protocols are insufficient and inefficient. Idan Plotnik, the Co-Founder & CEO of Apiiro, makes the case for a platform that quickly provides contextualized information concerning coding

Main Takeaways

• Contextualized Info: An old way of checking code often involved the coders themselves answering a long list of questions. This was inefficient and ineffective. A more helpful approach is to have a platform that quickly provides contextualized information concerning the coding, the process, and potential breaks in the chain. With this type of info, security risks can much more efficiently be discovered and addressed. 
• Establishing Trust: A platform that provides contextualized information can assist in communication between AppSec teams and developers. If an AppSec team is able to approach the developers with helpful information, then that can establish trust between all parties. With trust established, everybody can work together to reduce the security risk.   
• Mission-oriented: An entrepreneur, or a company, should have passion for their mission, whether that’s in securing software development or otherwise. In Israel, there is certainly a connection between innovation and the lessons that many entrepreneurs have learned during their military service. Mission-oriented values seem to translate to successful business outcomes.

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If data is in a pool that only keeps getting deeper as data inventory is accounted for, when is the exact moment for a business leader to jump in to do something with all the accumulated information? Leaders who care about data appreciate that it’s necessary to take stock before analyzing and strategizing. But taking inventory could be all one does because, whether it’s in a small or large business, the amount of data is only increasing. Mara Reiff, the Chief Data Officer of FreshBooks, suggests to account for enough data to begin the work and then to dive in.

Main Takeaways

• Taking Stock and Then Activating: A company must take inventory of its data, of course. But taking stock of data is a perpetual process. So, the trick becomes knowing when enough data has been collected so that you can move to applying that information to solve particular problems on behalf of customers. 
• Being a Data Advocate: With so much data at any singular organization, there can be a natural tendency to want to put one person in charge of all data and for that individual to have total responsibility, Reiff made the point that it’s impossible to be responsible for all data if one is not in control of who is adding all the data. Over time, she has come to see her role as being a leader who advocates for all the company’s data to be used in a responsible and constructive manner.
• A Scientific Data Mentality: Accumulating data at a business is not done for its own sake. Whether one has a science background or not, using data to help customers is about hypothesizing, testing, making a case, and then acting on that basis. Sometimes it’s about finding a particular customer with an issue that needs addressing; other times it’s about anticipating customer needs and acting accordingly to address them.
• ML and NLP: Many leaders in the data field are excited about the prospects of machine learning and natural language processing. One area to zero in on as a benefit is how NLP can really help in the area of translation; particularly for companies that operate in many countries. The mission for FreshBooks is to make accounting easier for small businesses, which the company serves in 160 countries. Translating language accurately and efficiently would certainly smooth and simplify accounting practices, among many other applications for other industries.

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The healthcare industry in the U.S. can feel like a slow moving, bureaucratic, dysfunctional mess. But the question is: What is the best way to activate a digital transformation that leads to better care for people? Sean Duffy, the Co-founder and CEO of Omada Health, suggests that fitting innovative digital care into the current model is the best strategy to make the most constructive change.

Main Takeaways

• Providing Proactive Care: Proactive care is difficult in the current in-person model; in part, because care is associated as occurring mostly during in-person experiences. Digital care through Omada operates differently in that Omada’s support team is able to provide monitoring without reliance on in-person office visits for the majority of care. Omada also provides prescriptions for monitoring devices and ships them right to the patient. 
• Working Within the System: Given the longstanding structures of the U.S. healthcare system, it is important that companies looking to innovate appreciate the realities of the system and be willing to work inside it in order to make changes. For Omada Health, this even comes down to making semantic choices regarding care that best fit into the current healthcare lexicon. 
• Creating a Culture of Innovation: With half a million users, Omada has been able to collect a lot of potentially useful data. Omada created the Omada Insights Lab in order to create a culture of innovation where its employees would use this trove of information in order to ask different questions and come up with solutions. Now, Omada has been able to open up this information to its customers so that they can also weigh in with their own ideas.

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When it comes to IT security, there are a lot of marketing pitches out there offering bullish assessments of certain technologies, and, of course, the particular products being pitched. Really, there’s nothing wrong with marketers doing their jobs, and it’s especially useful when this information leads to learning about emerging technologies and innovative products with a great deal of potential. But it’s also nice to get some security straight talk.

Frankly, so much noise concerning security products and innovation can be a liability because it’s just more information to process. There’s a real need for a clear-eyed, big-picture assessment of the current IT security landscape. This includes providing a sense of the big threats and what can be done to mitigate them both on the macro and micro level. 

Main Takeaways

• Current Threats and Strategic Solutions: Big threats to businesses are coming from state actors performing espionage. Additionally, criminals have begun to use state sponsored attack techniques in order to hold companies’ data hostage. On a macro level, governments need to come together to agree that these sort of state sponsored attacks are unacceptable. Companies can also shore up their endpoints and maintain basic security protocols to reduce threats regardless of where they come from.
• Cloud Use: Although there are some legacy companies still slow to change to the cloud out of concerns that they may disrupt their old systems, there is a certain inevitability in companies moving to the cloud. Even more importantly, cloud-backed companies, that have put time in the space, will have greater opportunities as more companies move to the cloud,
• Technologies Making Security Easier: A.I. can help with anomaly detection, access management, and by reducing the quantity of human talent required. Though some marketing may suggest otherwise, A.I. and automation that is proactive to reduce threats is still in a more aspirational phase.

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The word “cloud” is often uttered up in an almost reverent tone by anyone even tangentially affiliated with the IT world. A big reason for this is because cloud computing has been a tremendous boon for all manner of institutions. Getting away from on-prem servers has reduced cost and increased the speed at which organizations operate as well as the amount of data and applications that can be used to add value. But there is a tremendous amount of complexity in the cloud. With so many developers working in the cloud, there are also many potential access points and, therefore, security vulnerabilities. Ami Luttwak, the Co-founder and CTO of Wiz, explains how cloud complexity increases risks to security.

Main Takeaways

• The Promise and Problem With the Cloud: Use of the cloud can add value to organizations. For instance, the cloud can potentially decrease cost and promote efficiency. It also adds complexity and possible access points. For bad actors, this sort of complexity creates openings to infiltrate systems in order to achieve their malevolent ends.
• Asking the Question Differently: To innovate, sometimes it’s a matter of just asking a question differently. Also, asking the question simply can be helpful too. That said, it may only appear to be an elemental question after it has actually been answered. Wiz asked the basic question: are your cloud databases exposed? Solving this problem has allowed the company to make an impact in cloud security.
• MVP Plus Scale: In startup circles, it makes sense to get an MVP out ASAP. Luttwak suggests that startups must create MVPs that also have the capacity to scale. If they do so, they will save time and put their companies in a better position down the line.

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Recent disruptions have stretched supply chains all over the world. In some cases, supply chains have been broken in their weak places and have needed to be repaired. But there will always be unexpected events and outcomes. What helps are predictive models that can aid in decision-making. Dr. Madhav Durbha, the VP of Supply Chain Strategy at Coupa Software, suggests simulations can help companies make smart decisions that will lead to great heights.

Main Takeaways

• Macroeconomics: In order to best guide its customers, Coupa needs to have a sense of the ever-evolving, macroeconomic landscape. To do so, Coupa compiles and analyzes data from external as well as internal sources. Machine learning is an asset to help pour over and analyze the external data. Coupa is able to leverage its vast community of customers, and their data/resources, in order to provide high value insights. 
• Digital Twins: Digital modeling is an effective tool in order to analyze a given company’s supply chain. Predictive models can be established and then informed decisions can be made and implemented to impact the supply chain in the physical world. 
• Two Big Supply Chain Steps: One thing companies can do to shore up their supply chains is to go from a mentality of a one-to-one relationship with each distributor to instead thinking about each element of the supply chain as a multi-layered network. With this new mentality, companies can form relationships with other entities in the supply chain and leverage their scale in order to secure the products that they require. Additionally, companies must have a willingness to work with governments in order to secure the supply chain. This may involve certain products being manufactured at the local level rather than relying upon the global supply chain.

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There is a lot of conversation among IT security leaders about engaging the workforce in order to mitigate threats. But how do security professionals actually win people over to their side? Many employees are willing to comply but what can be done to really get through to those that are resistant? Johanna Baum, the CEO and Founder of S3 (Strategic Security Solutions), contends that to enact change, leaders must involve those that are most reluctant to go along with security protocols — especially the person still keeping their login password on a post-it note on their computer. In order to change the security culture of a company, Johanna suggests seeking out the person at a company who is least likely to comply.

Main Takeaways

• It Comes Down to the People: There’s always going to be a security tech stack. A security platform and relevant apps will help reduce threats. But, fundamentally, people are still required to act with any given platform or system as part of the security solution. Furthermore, employees also need to engage in secure behaviors that reduce the overall risk to the company.
• Involve the Malcontents: Cultural change concerning security is only as strong as the weakest link. Leaders must seek out the malcontents in order to engage them in the process. Leaders must put employees who are reluctant to accept security protocols in situations where they can test out measures and be part of the solution. 
• Keep Security Simple: Because there are so many security threats, there can be a tendency to assume risk mitigation must be very complicated and beyond human capacity. Although artificial intelligence and automation can certainly be helpful to thwart so many threats, there are also really simple things people can do on their own to embolden security. For instance, this can be as basic as ensuring people log out or use effective passwords. On a company-wide level, it can be as elemental as making sure there is an up to date list of all the users at the organization.

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If the topic of databases is brought up to certain people, their eyes may gloss over. But if that happened, that would be because they just don’t know the awesome power of databases. Data can be valuable but only if it is contextualized, and time is an extremely relevant aspect to consider when analyzing huge amounts of data. Paul Dix, the founder and CTO of InfluxData and the Creator of InfluxDB, explains how a time series database can help provide that temporal contextual information to promote efficiencies.

Main Takeaways

• Time Contextualizes Data: Data has value only when it is placed in context and then the information gleaned from it is applied into actionable items. Time is a key factor to provide a basis for understanding information. A time series database, iike InfluxDB, can provide this sort of context for server and IoT device monitoring. This info can then be applied to track performance and increase efficiency.
• Failure Becomes Opportunity: Sometimes it’s hard to see how a win can come from a loss, and most people try their very best to avoid losing. But the reality is that learning is happening when something is being created, and the knowledge that’s gained in the creative process has nothing to do with the outcome of a given project. To ultimately be successful, the lesson is to take what’s been learned and then keep pivoting until the product and the market are aligned and the timing is right.
• Evolving Engineering: Technology is always advancing rapidly. Therefore, even a successful product will require adaptations to meet new challenges. Accepting the reality of the high rate of change and, therefore, the need to constantly adjust accordingly will position a company in the best position to succeed.

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Human beings have an ability to tolerate quite a bit. Oftentimes, this is a helpful survival strategy. Rather than being overwhelmed by life’s frailties to the point flight or fight is kicking in, it’s generally a good thing to accept the realities of existence that cannot be changed and then operate accordingly on that basis. This is better than being constantly unnerved by real and sometimes alarming things that it seems one cannot control. But sometimes a huge disruption lets people know that they have been tolerating something concerning that’s impact could have been mitigated by a sustained effort which leads to a new solution. Neil Day, CTO of R-Zero, makes this point about the seeming unstoppability of certain infectious diseases. 

Main Takeaways

• Solving Multiple Problems: Not only was the coronavirus a huge problem, typical disinfectant solutions, such as liquid disinfectants, were difficult to apply and inefficient. Of course, massive problems are also opportunities for innovation.
• Relying on Something Tried and True: Using UV light as a disinfectant has historical precedence as well as scientific evidence concerning its effectiveness to curb the spread of viruses. R-Zero leaned into this established technology and then created a product that could utilize it effectively. Sensors in the machine as well as its capacity to hold data allow for implementation of risk management procedures.
• Now That We Are Utilizing UV More…: UV technology may become a more typical means to disinfect both businesses, and, eventually, homes. In recent history, people have mostly accepted that illness from viruses is an inevitable part of life. Based upon the experience of the pandemic and the potential solutions that may spring forth to solve that problem, this mentality may evolve and push humanity into a different expectation concerning health. 

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With so much change happening at such a fast pace, the digital transformation process can feel like it must be extremely far along and, perhaps, near completion. Companies have been moving as speedily as possible to adapt their businesses to the digital realm and, in many cases, to create new digital territories altogether. If digital transformation was a baseball game, it could be easy to assume that the transition is in the latter innings. Rich Nanda, the US Monitor Deloitte Practice Leader at Deloitte Consulting, offers a contrary perspective.

Main Takeaways

• Consultation with Specificity and a Broad Vision: With the intensity of digital transformation happening across all sectors, consultants must adjust their skillsets. On one hand, they must have thorough domain expertise. Yet, on the other hand, consultants must be able to take a broader view as well in order to best guide their clients in these fast-moving times. 
• Growth Versus Fixed Business Mindset: To be successful, leaders must adopt a growth mindset over a fixed mindset. A fixed mindsight is rigid and sees the world as locked in place. A growth mindset accepts that change is inevitable. With a growth mindset, change is seen as an opportunity rather than a problem.
• Opportunities for Expansion: Projecting forward, there will be amazing opportunities for expansion. Companies will be in a position for more mergers and acquisitions. Some companies will jump outside their typical lane to pursue more opportunities. Companies not traditionally thought of as intrinsically associated with tech, or software, may find unique opportunities to delve into new digital territories.

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Technology can no longer be isolated from the rest of life and only discussed in particular circles among scholars, professionals, or those that just like to geek out on tech. This is because the innovation is too rapid, the tools are too powerful, and the stakes are too high. Elizabeth Bramson-Boudreau, the CEO & Publisher of the MIT Technology Review, explains that people must consider how technology is impacting their lives and suggests journalists need to play a role in framing these conversations.

Main Takeaways

• The Need for Ethical Debate About Technology: Technology is touching just about every area of life. Now, more than ever, thoughtful stories about technology are needed to educate and engage the public in necessary ethical conversations. The question must be asked: Is a certain technology going to be good or bad for humanity and for the world? People must then respectfully debate that question and act accordingly based upon their convictions.
• Modernizing a Legacy Publication: Many publishing companies have adapted to incorporate a digital space. An important first step to do so is a willingness to disrupt the current publication. Additionally, training writers for this format is an essential step as the format is shorter and the frequency intensifies.  
• Knowing Your Lane and Always Earning an Audience: A media company, and any organization for that matter, must know its mission. Then, it’s a matter of producing high quality content with that lane in mind and constantly earning an audience by adding value to the customers’ lives.  

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There’s a general tendency for people to desire to fit in — to want to be on the inside of systems and institutions. The drive to be in the in-crowd or on the team is so embedded in the socialization process that the idea of being an outsider often becomes associated with something undesirable. But many times people who come into a situation with an outsider perspective see things more clearly and can come up with alternative solutions to problems. That was the case for Rory San Miguel, the CEO of Propeller Aero, whose outsider perspective led to innovation in the construction and surveying industries. 

Main Takeaways

• Outsiders Can See Solutions: Maybe being an insider isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Sure, there are VIP perks, but there is also the myopic vision that can develop from spending too much time on the inside.There’s a greater scope of vision when looking in from a distance. An outsider perspective is also an advantage because there’s less to lose and more to gain.
• An Adaptable Construction Industry: Oftentimes, construction is unfairly categorized as an industry that is resistant to change. The truth is that the construction industry is pretty adaptable to new technologies. The construction business is about building tangible things and the margins really matter. It’s ready and willing to adapt to any technology that helps in getting the work done and that’s good for the bottom line too.
• A Frisbee and a Pizza Box: There’s a lesson to be learned from being willing to walk down a path with a spirit of openness and see where it leads. At the beginning stages, Propeller Aero knew its passion without having a clear sense of application. As doors were cracked open by customers showing the way, Propeller, led by its founders, walked through the door into the surveying industry. A Frisbee and then a pizza box were outside of the box influences toward innovation. Propeller Aero shows that it’s good to think outside the box and, in fact, maybe use a pizza box as a prototype to solve a complex problem. 
• Loyalty in Both Directions: Customers that believe in a business and give multiple chances to deliver can provide that runway innovators need to uncover a solution. On the other hand, companies should be loyal to their customer base. There can be a tendency to want to expand to other industries and go wide rather than deep. Really, loyalty between businesses and customers is all about valuing relationships and deepening them over time. 

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There’s an obvious tension in the crypto world between decentralization and centralization. Of course, Bitcoin was a reaction against the power of the entrenched banking systems and a move toward individual economic empowerment. The essential element of blockchain technology is a distributed ledger, so it’s a reasonable desire for those who care about the technology to want the scale tipped toward decentralization. It’s also undeniable that some centralization often proves useful with scaling and building trust. But living within the tension between decentralization and centralization may be the key to empowering individual people by providing them with economic access. Manish Gupta, the EVP of Engineering at Coinbase, makes the case that Coinbase is equipped to democratize the crypto economy.
 

Main Takeaways

• Tension Between Decentralization and Centralization: Coinbase is living between the binary of a centralized versus a decentralized system. Fundamentally, by maintaining a balance between both paradigms, it has an opportunity to further democratize the crypto economy,
• Seeing Opportunity Instead of a Problem: When the crypto economy has boomed in the past, the Coinbase site has gone down, at times, due to the volume of users on the site. Trust is essential for Coinbase customers, so being able to solve for capacity issues is essential for sustaining that trust. In part, the solution to handling traffic issues has been to institute a series of tests to be proactive rather than leaning on a spike in the market to test the system. For Coinbase and Manish Gupta, these platform issues became an opportunity to strengthen the platform.
• Leaning into Decentralizing Technologies: Coinbase has made a strategic decision to lean into decentralized products. Overall, Coinbase plans to focus on decentralizing its workforce, products, and what it builds on the blockchain. One example of offering increased decentralization on the platform is creating wallets where assets can be individually held rather than combined into a larger pool of assets.

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Disruption is a word that gets thrown around a lot in business. It’s curious because most people don’t want their day to day to be disrupted in regular life. People don’t just casually offer up the phrase, “I can’t wait for some disruption today.” But that’s why it’s absolutely necessary. It helps to change things up and see the world differently. Umesh Sachdev, the Co-founder and CEO of Uniphore, explains how he first realized the call center industry was ready for an evolution.

Main Takeaways

• Creating Super Call Center Agents: A.I. in conjunction with automation can act as a coach or mentor for agents. It can give clues as to customers’ engagement while helping provide data and facts in real time. It can also take notes on the conversations so there is a record to reflect back on and use to make improvements. This A.I. augmentation turns agents into super agents. 
• Language, Tone, and Facial Recognition: A.I. has had an incredible progression. Initially, A.I. was trained for language and then for tone of voice. Now, A.I. can read faces and gestures. All of this accumulated interpreted data can be applied to provide call agents, or whomever, with the information they need to better communicate with customers.
• Applying Knowledge: It’s one thing to acquire information as an engineer or a business leader. But acquiring knowledge without applying it is like holding the best tasting spice in the world in one’s hand but never adding it to any food. Knowledge that is held but not applied is wasted. Use knowledge to solve problems. 
• Switching to Sales: Sometimes engineers and creators are so focused on their work that they forget about sales. The obvious aspect of doing so is that without funding, the creativity stops. Reframing striving to make sales as a creative, communicative job helps. Also, customers can provide insights and ideas for new, interesting projects. 

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In business, there can be a tendency to label, categorize, and then make corresponding assumptions. This is very reasonable. In order to organize, it’s necessary. One less than ideal aspect of this mentality is that certain responsibilities may be assumed to be mostly relevant to only one title, team, or department. With that sort of thinking, the concept of communication tends to be more associated with marketing or sales. But the need to communicate well cuts across every area of a company. To serve clients, it’s imperative. Clearly articulating shared goals between companies and their clients allow expectations to be set and then delivered.

Main Takeaways

• Remote Communication - Signal Versus Noise: Skyrocketing remote work has necessitated different styles of dialogue. For instance, it calls for more written channels on Slack or email, or more Zoom meetings. But management is necessary to make sure employees are using effective means to communicate that enable them to accomplish their tasks rather than getting bogged down in unnecessary and time-consuming mediums that don't really further their specific work product.
• In-Person Meetings Still Matter: For all the positives in remote work and communication channels, there is still something that’s lost when people aren’t able to be with each other. Actually gathering together does help to connect team members. Properly managed hybrid models can create small teams that are able to leverage their in-person time as well as the remote tools that help to bind them together and get quality work done.
• How Open Should Channels Be?: With these new forms of remote communication, there is an even greater ability to have conversations between different teams at a company. This can be a double edged sword between the sales and developer teams. On one hand, communication can really help customers. On the other hand, there can come a point when a decision about a certain project must be made and further back and forth may not be as relevant at that point.

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Storytelling defines how we see ourselves in the world. Telling the story of one’s own life can be empowering or disempowering, depending on the story a person tells. This is true for companies too. The story of a company’s work can be told in a limited or an expansive way. The difficulty is that not only does the company tell its story, their audience — consumers, media, and even other companies — all help tell the story too. For a legacy company, that story can calcify until an effort is made to rewrite the narrative. Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, the Corporate SVP at LG Electronics and Head of North America Innovation Center ("LG Nova"), explains how he is rewriting LG’s story to reflect that it is a company promoting all kinds of innovation. 

Main Takeaways

• Strengthening Innovation through Partnerships: LG has created a center of innovation in Silicon Valley, LG Nova, to support innovation from diverse startups across wide-ranging industries. Ultimately, LG Nova becomes partners with select startups and backs them with LG’s might so that they have the ability to scale. 
• Telling the Story Differently: LG is primarily known as an electronics and appliance company. The true story is that LG promotes innovation across many sectors and has the capacity to support that aim. Dr. Rhee honors LG’s legacy but is sharing the story that LG’s interest in innovation is very expansive.  
• Close to the Action, High Above It, and in the Middle: Rhee tells the story of his career. First, he found himself close to the creative action in the startup world. Then, he worked in government, was high above the action, but could shape policy, etc. Finally, he has found a balance at LG in working with startups yet having the power of LG to make a difference.

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There’s a whole new manner of interacting at work now, especially with the rise in remote and hybrid workflows. The digital transformation was already well under way and then, if the transition was a campfire, the pandemic poured lighter fluid on it. Fortunately, lots of companies responded by making s’mores rather than getting burned, and utilized the technological tools that were already developed to help.

Main Takeaways

• Organizational Alignment: The pace of technological change is breathtaking. Companies must continually be making sure their entire organization is aligned with their mission. This requires working quickly and adapting accordingly. Communication via channels helps to ensure the right people in an organization all have access to the same info to allow for conversations to to quicken the pace of work
• Mental Shift: Working in channels is significantly different than an email workflow. For those that liked the finality of responding to an email and closing it out, the channel system can feel like it is without an end. The positive aspect of this feeling could be that the information is always available and can be of easy access as needed. When it comes down to it, individual mindsets can be adjusted to reframe the channel experience in a manner that’s helpful.
• Focusing on Virtual and Physical Spaces: For a long time, companies primarily focused on physical places for employees to work and, in many cases, for customers to interact with a business too. Now, the focus is adjusting, partly based on necessity, to creating supportive virtual places. Moving forward, companies will need to integrate physical and digital spaces. In many businesses, and in most human interactions, there is a place for both the physical and digital spaces.

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It’s easy to feel unmoored in a fast-changing world with such choppy waves. With so much change, there’s a natural tendency to want to drop the anchor in the nearest calm waters and remain there, hoping this approach will be the most secure. But the water’s never really placid. There are extremely strong currents beneath the surface. Even the most gigantic anchor won’t be able to keep the ship from moving. It’ll just slow it down a little, and, maybe, even pull the vessel apart no matter the quality of how it was built. Joshua Scott, the Head of IT and Security for Postman, believes that accepting and planning for changes in technology is the best security strategy.

Main Takeaways

• Evolution of the API Market: The API market was often overlooked in the past but that’s no longer the case. Postman has about fifteen million developers on its site who are working on various API projects. Where API was treated as something less than before, it is now appreciated like any other application. The mentality concerning API security has also evolved. Previously, API security was more of an afterthought. Given the  amount of increasingly interconnected tools, the import of API security is now more greatly understood.
• Both Centralization and Decentralization: When maintaining security, there needs to be clear leadership; therefore, a level of centralization. A clear, centralized hierarchy establishes accountability for leadership. An aspect of security decentralization is building a culture of shared responsibility among all stakeholders. Additionally, decentralizing security by empowering those closest to the action increases the speed of decision-making.
• Compartmentalization is a Good thing: In one’s personal life, compartmentalization is a good thing in some respects but tends to have diminishing returns when overused. In the security arena, the capacity to compartmentalize mitigates risk from spreading from one spot to all aspects of the business. If a business is a ship, it’s never great to have a breach in the hull but it’s better if the gaping hole is limited to one compartment.

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Threats are not new to business. Whenever there has been a plentiful economic prize, there have also been pirates. In the swashbuckling days, the captain and the crew were charged with protecting the merchandise on board. The difference today is the sheer volume of cyber attacks inbound to companies. Carolyn Crandall, the Chief Security Advocate and CMO at Attivo Networks, describes the attack as an enormous wave.

Main Takeaways

• A Security Threat Tsunami: Cyber attacks are like giant perpetual waves. Businesses are constantly inundated with these threats. The first steps toward fighting back are recognizing the power of one’s adversaries, understanding how the company is being attacked, knowing where the company’s vulnerabilities are, and then devising a plan to combat the attacks.
• Strategy over Monitoring: Businesses tend to want to monitor their systems and that’s generally a good thing. Part of the method of attackers, however, is to overwhelm with data. Instead of only monitoring, companies have to decipher attacker techniques and then strategize on how to defend accordingly.
• Automate, Automate!: People can only do so much by themselves to defend against constant cyber attacks. Automation can be an answer to these attacks. Humans can’t protect against the deluge of attacks by themselves and must lean on A.I. and machine learning to help combat these nefarious attacks. When companies begin to deploy an A.I. defense strategy, the designed algorithms can begin to decipher what is normal activity on network servers and what is not.
• Data Cloak and Disrupt: Misusing credentials is a great way for attackers to gain access to resources. It is possible to have an automated system, such as Attivo, that can bait rogue elements, gain their trust, and then deny their access while hiding vital data.

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Freedom is not something to fear; in fact, it’s an essential component of creativity. Chaos is something to avoid, however. Many creative people confuse freedom with chaos and think a chaotic environment inspires creative passion. The most creative environments are those that provide enough order, and essential security, that allows individuals to stretch out to create something new. As security information management has evolved with the cloud, a new form of defense has been required. Dave Frampton, the VP/GM Cloud SIEM & Security Analytics at Sumo Logic, describes this system as living in the middle of the cloud chaos. 

“What you really need to do is rethink this and deliver this SIM from the cloud, like as a cloud service itself. So that’s it’s right there in the midst of all that chaos [and] able to ingest all of that data and it’s savvy and smart about all those different new threat surfaces, because, in and [of] itself, this service is built and made from all of these same components: microservices, and containers, and modular, modern software that communicates by APIs.”

By living in the midst of the cloud chaos, a security platform such as Sumo Logic is in the middle of the action and is creating a secure place for business and creativity to flourish. In Greek mythology, Atlas was forced to hold up the sky as a punishment by Zeus. Cybersecurty forces must hold back those with ill intent and to do so they dwell inside the chaos and create a safe place there. They don’t do this because they are condemned to this fate. Instead, they do so because they have chosen this role of protector and this is their mission.

On this episode of IT Visionaries, Dave chats about how cybersecurity has evolved to decrease silos and increase automation. He explains how humanity, and ethics, are required to make judgements on how A.I. and automation should be used to further security aims. Enjoy the episode!

Main Takeaways

• Moving Into the Cloud Chaos: If the action is in the cloud, then security needs to be in the cloud too to ingest necessary data and to disrupt attacks. The security product must be at the same level, and made with the same parts, as that which it is intended to protect. 
• Platform Disrupts Silos: In companies, silos are often made out of a sense of necessity. People work in their areas with their specific knowledge and access. In security, however, it is important to have a platform that connects those on the application and security teams so they can work together to protect the company.  
• Automation with Ethics: There’s a drive to automate as much as possible in the security realm because there is so much data and so many threats with everything moving so fast. This is reasonable, but humanity must lead decision-making concerning automation. It’s a matter of ethics. People must choose when to automate and for what purpose. They must weigh the pros and cons of their actions and accept any consequences. 
• Fear and Greed: People are often driven by fear and greed. This is the case when considering A.I. and automation advances in security. On the fear side, it’s reasonable to be concerned about potential technological overreaches and unintended consequences. On the greed side, A.I. and automation has vast potential to deal with so much incoming data and to make quick decisions.

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Even when trying really hard to please people, it’s difficult. Most people don’t know exactly what they want. And when they do know, they often don’t know how to articulate it. In our personal lives, this can be frustrating, for sure. In the professional world, it can be crippling for a company if they don’t have a pulse on their customers’ wants; but, even more importantly, their needs. Michael Peachey, the VP of User Experience at RingCentral, suggests the best  practice for understanding customers is for a company to enhance their observational capabilities. 

Main Takeaways

• Using Powers of Observation: To design effectively, a company has to understand how customers are using their products. Surveys help and so do conversations, but observations are best. Tech tools won’t replace the power of human contact, but they can augment observational capacity. Seeing where people place their mouse on screen, for instance, can help strengthen design elements. Observing customers who are struggling with a specific aspect of an app can increase empathy from designers and motivate them to address the issue.
• Function Versus Beauty: It’s an age-old question as to whether function as opposed to beauty is paramount in design. Function is number one. Without it, products will definitely fail. Beauty is nice but not necessary. The ideal is design that has both function and beauty.
• BCB Demystified: Everything is interconnected as people who work in the business sector are also consumers. Apps often start in enterprise first. Then employees like them because of the functionality so they take them home and share them and the apps spread among consumers. Consumers also bring apps they like from home back into the business market because they want to use these products at work.

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Certain types of technology are easier to understand for some people than for others, and that’s okay. Passion is contagious; iIt attracts employees and customers. Strong, passionate leadership with clear vision increases employee satisfaction that then translates to satisfied customers. Developers who make products that build and maintain infrastructure toil to solve problems so their customers can pursue their own desires. Idit Levine, the Founder and CEO of Solo.io, shares her zeal for her company’s work as well as a belief in her team’s competitive nature.

Main Takeaways

• The Power of Passion: Passion is often underrated. It is the engine of creativity and accomplishment. Lean into passion in order to educate others, gather phenomenal employees, and attract customers.  
• Creation from Competition: Competition can be something that people shy away from. Perhaps this is because they wrongly equate it to being domineering. True competition is about striving to be the best version of oneself and creating an environment for one’s entire team to do the same. Embrace competition to win.
• Knowing the Why of Founding: Founding a company is a huge endeavor. Knowing the reason to be a founder is essential. For Idit Levine, founding was about building on the successful things she had learned from previous stops but also learning from experiences she found wanting and believing she could do even better. 
• Supporting the Team: A CEO should be obsessed with their employees. Leaders must make sure their employees are content and empowered to be their best. Happy employees lead to satisfied customers.  
• Listening to the Market but Pushing Too: Listen to the market, but don’t just listen to the market. Customers don’t always know what they need or the direction of where a technology must head. It’s the job of a CEO to lead and determine the company’s course and the products they must build.

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When a new technology with tremendous potential rolls out, expectations are sky high. It’s going to be a magical technology that changes the world, right? If it doesn't take off immediately with consumers, there can be a tendency to overreact, be let down, give up, and move on to the next new thing that’s supposed to change the world. But what if the technology is augmented reality and it does, truly, change the way people see the world? Even though everyone isn’t walking around every second, using AR, just yet, augmented reality has been making great strides over the last decade. And Peggy Johnson, the CEO of Magic Leap, explains that digital augmentation will be the norm eventually.

“There will be a time again where we'll look back and say, ‘Remember when we didn't have digital augmentation in front of our eyes.’ Whether that'll be in the form of glasses that we'll wear or contacts maybe at some point, I do believe we will have that kind of capability as a tool to help us just get through our days, do our jobs, and to entertain us. This is the start of it.”

The way to combat overreacting when a new technology is not immediately broadly used is to simply realize that it takes time to change the world; in particular, how people see the world. With augmented reality, the complex goal is to seamlessly integrate physical and digital spaces. That’s a real challenge. Technological advancement of this magnitude takes patienceents and there are always fits and starts. But it’s happening right now.

On this episode of IT Visionaries, Peggy shares the state of AR today and where she sees it heading in the future. She also explains how technological advancement has a trajectory that can sometimes be misunderstood. If a technology does not immediately take off with consumers, some mistakenly write it off as a failure. She also discusses the journey trials and tribulations that Magic Leap has been through as a company, including how she’s helped the company pivot from a consumer-facing to product one that focuses solely on enterprise applications. Peggy clarifies that this is just part of the process as a powerful technology is often first directed toward consumers, then to enterprise, and then finally cycles back to consumers in a major way. Enjoy the episode!

Main Takeaways

• It’s Okay to Pivot: Resisting change is like trying to try to stop the seasons. Magic Leap was first more consumer-focused but then pivoted to enterprise. Its initial consumer-facing approach helped to visually clarify what augmented reality could be. Now, there are many enterprise use cases for Magic Leap. 
• Proving Value: For consumers, value is about having great content and then enough of it. For enterprise clients, proving value is also constant. Magic Leaps works with current application vendors of their enterprise clients to help heighten their existing applications with AR. Security and privacy are big concerns for companies that must be addressed too. In the enterprise-lane, the AR device typically needs to be used all day so it has to be very comfortable to wear: smaller, lighter, and not too hot. No one wants overheated employees.
• Creating Ahead of the Curve: Being out front with new technologies requires a bold mentality. When a company creates products ahead of the curve, they have to make things that have never been made before. A company culture of innovation supported by similarly oriented partners gets great work done.
• Vendors as Partners: There’s no doubt AR is complex and groundbreaking so new products and components need to be built all the time. In this sense, the supply chain is always having to catch up with very speedy tech. Having vendors that are more like partners help to keep the supply chain moving efficiently.

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

The world has changed; work has too. Many people are reassessing both their personal and professional lives. The truth is that the personal and professional worlds have always been intertwined. People never left their humanity outside the front door of the office. Now, due to the increase in remote work, there may not even be a physical office. And the integration of personal and professional life is more obvious today than ever before. Work is being done at home, but so is taking care of the household or kids. There’s a lot of life for people to sort out. It’s a challenging time, for sure, but also one filled with potential.

Companies have an opportunity to take care of their employees in new ways. Or, if they are reluctant to change, employees can leave for other opportunities. Instead of an outdated and unhelpful mentality about controlling workers, companies have to adjust to make sure employees have the freedom they need to do their best work.

Part of this is making sure that work culture is good. Leaders don’t try to control employees; they make sure their path is smooth to do their work. It’s also about providing the right tools at the opportune time to get work done efficiently. Most people are decent and hard working. They want to be productive and to be respected. If companies take care of their core needs, employees will produce, increase ROI, innovate, and care for customers. 

On this episode of IT Visionaries, Preeti Somal, the VP of Engineering at HashiCorp and Mark Thiele, the CEO and Founder of Edgevana, discuss how companies can transform to create more productive work environments in this new era of increased personal and professional integration. Enjoy the episode!

Takeaways:

• A Good Culture and the Right Tools: In this new world of increased remote work, companies must create an environment where workers feel satisfied and productive in order to retain them. First, create a work culture based on trust, freedom, and support. Then, provide the right technical tools that make work easier for employees to be their best.
• Control is a Mirage: Most employees care and do quality work. Trying to control workers based upon the fear of a few underperformers is counterproductive. Control isn’t even really possible nor should it be desirable. It restricts the freedom that is necessary for most workers to achieve their goals. Instead, performance must be evaluated through common sense and accomplishments rather than surveillance.
• New Wave of Internal Tools: Low-code and no-code developments are allowing for lots of new tools to be created within companies. These new tools can be micro-targeted to help a few employees, but also have the ability to be designed, developed, and integrated rapidly. With so many new internal applications, it’s important to develop an organizational team and platform to track them.

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A lot of times people look at someone who changes the world and think that person must have known exactly what they were doing right from the very beginning. A lot of times, people are dead wrong. Creating comes from a place of not knowing exactly what comes next, and being willing to try to make something new anyway. Sure, trying something new takes courage; but, it’s more about being willing to try things and not be concerned with the outcome. Also, in reality, individuals don’t change culture — people join forces to do that. If a company wants to change the world, then they need to develop a culture that promotes creativity. Dieter Shirley, the Co-creator of CryptoKitties and the CTO and Lead Architect of Dapper Labs, explains the creative process he has learned to employ.

“We would try all sorts of crazy stuff. Of course, most of it didn’t go anywhere. But that was how we learned. Even if CryptoKitties hadn’t taken off, we would have learned a ton and been able to try something else.”

Creative people often make objects that other people collect. Creative-types do this because creating new things help them to interact with the materials of the world and then shape them into a certain type of order. Collectors collect because these items help provide meaning to their lives. In this way, both creators and collectors are attempting to create order. Today, these objects can be digital too. CyptoKitties — digital blockchain cats — the latest basketball sneaker, or the hottest painting are now all one in the same. People will queue up for digital collectibles just like they would stand in a line at the sneaker store. They’ll outbid each other for digital memorabilia just like they would for that painting.   

On this episode of IT Visionaries, Dieter talks about all he and his team learned when they created CryptoKittes, the limitations that blockchains such as etherium placed on their ability to scale CryptoKitties or other similar products, and how they've applied that knowledge to NBA Top Shot — which are digital NBA and WNBA collectibles they build on their blockchain, Flow. Enjoy the episode!

Main Takeaways

• Try Crazy Things: Just create new things. Not knowing where everything is going is okay. The creation process is never wasted time even if a certain project isn’t considered successful. Creating is about learning. Regardless of the outcome, what’s learned can always be applied moving forward.
• The Power of Fun and Games: Having a spirit of playfulness in the creative process allows new things to be tried. It’s also really important to make technology that’s fun too. If consumers find the tech fun in itself, like a game, for instance, they’ll take the time to interact with the technology.
• If You Build it, They Will Come: Just build the tech and keep it simple. If you build something, that gives it a chance for consumers to use it. If it’s simple, even better. If it’s fun, that’s the best because people will take the time to actually use it. People don’t need to know everything about a certain technology to use it. They just need to be interested in it and be able to learn just enough to engage with it.
• If You Need To, Build It Yourself but Better: Sometimes, taking matters into your own hands is the best path forward. CryptoKitties crashed the Ethereum network. Rather than relying on Ethereum or any other blockchain, Dapper Labs built its own blockchain, Flow, that increased efficiency and met their requirements to scale.
• Something That Never Dies: Digital memorabilia is attractive because it never dies. Collectors collect items to create meaning for their lives. Digital items, that can live forever, can provide comfort to collectors in that they will always exist and be there for them to provide that meaning.
• Trust Your Team: As a leader, it’s imperative to trust the team. Even if a leader is initially very involved in the creative process of a certain project, over time the team members working on the project every day will likely develop greater expertise. When that happens, the best thing a leader can do is trust the team. This, of course, also opens up the leader to meet other responsibilities, including dreaming up new projects.

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In the sport’s world, some teams have all the talent they need to win championships, but, oftentimes they can’t seem to put it all together to be the last team standing at the end of the season. On the other hand, there have been moments when the most unlikely teams come together to shock the world. But when you look back, their success is not so surprising. It’s simply that their culture, their togetherness, was underrated. Championship teams don’t just appear; instead they are built. Company cultures are a lot like teams. Winning is the work, and work must get done. This is especially true when complex software products have to be created that solve problems for customers. Himanshu Palsule, the President and Chief Product and Technology Officer at Epicor, explains how the team works together at Epicor.

“We operate pretty flat, including our CEO, Steve Murphy, who’s a process engineer himself. We  all roll up our sleeves and talk to the person that has the answer versus sort of go down a hierarchy of people. If you want to succeed at Epicor, you need to be comfortable with that.”

Part of building a great team is when leaders are members of the team too and not above it, and everyone works together. Another aspect of being on a successful team is being able to define what the team does well, stick to that core identity, and then having respect for other teams for what they do best. Every game is a series of problems and then solutions. Solve enough problems and the game is won. Great teams create cultures that identify each problem correctly and then work together to solve them.

On this episode of IT Visionaries, Himanshu discusses how the Epicor team works together to provide enterprise resource planning software. To do their job effectively, he describes a culture of teamwork that extends to even incorporating the fans, the customers, into the team too. Enjoy the episode!

Main Takeaways

• Being a Vendor/Coach: Sales go ary when salespeople either push a client too hard to take on more than they need or allow a client to overcommit to more than they require. Rather than thinking from only a sales perspective, it is helpful for a vendor to think of themselves as the client’s coach. With this mindset, they seek to help educate and support the customer so that their business can succeed. This mentality allows long-standing relationships based upon respect to develop.
• Core Identity Versus Respecting Other Players: As a large player in an industry, it’s important to identify core company work and stick to that. If there are other players with a specific technology to solve a particular problem, it’s good to respect their product and allow them to do what they do best too. A large player in the industry doesn’t have to do everything; they just need to do their thing.
• Creating a Problem-Solving Culture: A constructive culture is essential to solve project problems and get work done. Creating an environment where hierarchy is not rigid and communication is fluid is one key. Another key is providing some guardrails to brainstorming sessions in a group of can-do people. Parameters can drive creativity.
• Fielding a Good Team: Team building involves creating places for people to learn. Partnerships with academic institutions certainly can help. It’s also important to look for potential employees who have a specific skillet that can be adaptable even if they haven’t done the exact type of work before. These sorts of workers can be trained to be very productive members of the team.

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In general, creative-types fall into two camps. The first camp loves the excitement of creating something flashy — things that people can identify, experience, and viscerally respond to. The second camp is made up of those who care about building a foundation so that other people can create great things upon it. If they do their jobs really well, their work may go relatively unnoticed. But that’s okay with them. They can sit back and smile, knowing they helped other creators do their best work. Tony Minessale, the Founder and CEO of SignalWire, describes the satisfaction that comes with building a strong foundation to help developers do what they do best.

Main Takeaways

• Creating Infrastructure so Developers Can Flourish: Some people are attracted to the bright lights of creating flashy applications. That’s fine and helpful too. It’s also necessary to have people that are focused on creating a strong foundation of infrastructure so that developers can build their artful products on top of it.
• Lessons From Open Source: Open-source work can teach developers a lot. There’s a sense of community that is often established. Also, there’s something meaningful in people doing work for its own sake, rather than for money. On the other hand, the open- source model does have its limitations. Often, a developer can end up serving too many masters because a solution for one person can be a problem for another. At some point, creating a company makes more sense as the capital allows focus and the ability to create a unified team to serve the vision.  
• The Benefit of Rolling out Tech Gradually: Consumers learn more about a new technology when it is delivered to them over time in multiple products that are successively more complex. This graduated process helps consumers to understand a given technology better. It also provides more sales.
• No Sympathy for the Buzzword: If buzzwords are rated, they’re overrated. Buzzwords can be bandied about by anyone wise enough to recognize them. Too often, however, they lose their meaning from overuse, are imprecise, or don't serve in educating other people and fostering effective communication.   
• An Internet Driven Telecom Industry is Inevitable: Legacy telecommunication models are still around, but an internet telecom industry is the future. Even now, satellite internet has enough bandwidth to stream content. Legacy telecom companies will evolve as they always do to make money. It may take a while for people to adapt but the technology is here. 

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

One way to think about data is that it is like rain, and it is pouring outside. Imagine c-suite executives running around in a parking lot with huge buckets trying to capture as much as they can. Afterward, they return to the office, analyze the data, and then decide what to do based upon their discoveries.

But in this example, it’s not about how many buckets you come back with, it’s what’s in the buckets that matters most. Data is interpreted based upon a person’s values. In fact, certain types of data are acquired, or discarded, because of someone’s core principles -— their guiding light as to how they see the world and their role in it. Entire companies make decisions about how to use data based upon their mission. It all comes down to values whether at the personal level or at the overall company level.   

In business, data is leaned on because it is measurable. Data is useful, no doubt. It can guide decisions. But, really, the heart of decision-making is about a leader’s values. The underlying question is: What do you believe in? 

On this episode of IT Visionaries, guest host, Michael Rivo, Director, Salesforce LIVE, Virtual Events Content & Platform at Salesforce, is joined by Kimberly Paige, EVP and CMO of BET, and Dan Torunian, VP of Employee Technology &Experiences at Paypal. They discuss how their intuition and values drive how they use data and help make decisions for their respective companies.

Takeaways:

• Data Drives Decisions: Data is driving decisions all across companies. At BET, it is being used to adjust brand marketing. At Paypal, it is being used to increase the wellbeing of employees so that they can, in turn, serve customers more effectively. 
• Data Versus Instinct: Using data to make decisions certainly is important. Striking a balance between using data and using intuition is key for good leadership. It’s ideal to find an even balance between both data and intuition, while leaning slightly on common sense.
• Collaboration Through Mission: Shared values and a shared mission creates collaboration and helps break down silos of people and data. Data can be used to support a company’s mission, but values are the foundation. It’s important to remember that values are at the core of everything, including how data is gathered, interpreted, and acted upon.

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Despite so many technological advances, the way people worked stayed fairly static for many years. Work has now changed suddenly; there is no doubt about that. Where work was mostly in person, now a lot of work is remote or in a hybrid model. Nobody wanted this change to happen in this way — by being forced to quickly adjust due to a global health crisis. It’s like the whole working world collectively face-planted. No one asks to fall. But with any fall, there is an opportunity to reassess, get back up, and change course. Now, there is a tremendous opportunity to redesign the rituals of work. Ashok Krish is the Global Head of Digital Workplace at Tata Consultancy Services, and he believes we are in a transitional phase of work where new routines and rituals are being established.

“A lot of new rituals of remote work had to be put in place. And I think that is the single biggest culture change that a lot of companies missed; more so than the technology. I think the technology, most companies already had it. They just accelerated the adoption and rollout of it.” 

The entire world is right in the middle of a work culture change. Employees are still learning to work and be productive from a distance. And companies are figuring out how to bring people together despite distance. But there is a way to bridge the divide between a company and it’s employees, wherever they may be physically working. Thoughtful analytics and technological design are the answer, and when applied effectively, they can create new digital norms that foster productivity and employee contentment.    

On this episode of IT Visionaries, Ashok explains how work must be reimagined with these new norms in mind. He details how new rituals must be designed and then incorporated, and he dives into how reshaping the old way of work can actually open up new possibilities and efficiencies within the technology companies already have under the hood. Enjoy the episode!

Main Takeaways

• Transitioning Work Rituals: Work has changed suddenly from mostly in person to often remote. The old rituals of work no longer apply today. Long, frequent meetings don’t work well remotely. Perhaps they were never really efficient in person either. New rituals must be established for remote work to be successful and for workers to be content.  
• Valuing Frontline Workers: Frontline workers are immensely valuable. Given the tumult of the last eighteen months, companies have learned to better appreciate their frontline workers. Historically, frontline workers were underserved by IT and had to find their own tech solutions. Now, there is more of a focus on providing frontline workers the IT support they need.
• New Work Norms: New norms must be established given more work is remote or hybrid now. Technology can be used to increase productivity and contentment in the workforce. Using tech to limit meeting times and messages increases the importance of these activities. It’s essential to get two-way communication going, perhaps especially in high power distance cultures. Interactive town halls, that aren’t too long, can create two-sided communication that connects leaders with their employees. 
• Creating a Culture of Connection: The challenge with remote work is that we can no longer rely on physical proximity to create connection between people and to identify when people are feeling disconnected. Analytics can be helpful to determine if people are overworked and stressed. Then, HR needs to reach out to establish contact to make sure employees are doing okay.
• Ritualization of Design: New IT design principles must be established that support today’s work and workers. Ritual can be helpful for many types of work because it establishes an efficient guide on how to efficiently get things done the right way.

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Some people are super health conscious, with their days driven by early-morning trips to the gym and kale smoothies. Others try their very best to avoid thinking about anything health-related at all, pushing thoughts of vegetables or long walks right out of their minds. Regardless of which camp you fall in, your overall health is important and your medical history is critical data. So why is it so difficult to get access to important health information for ourselves and those we love? Is the onus on us? Or is it due to a breakdown within the system? Either way, we clearly need systems and technology that support our health. Vijay Anand is the EVP of Engineering at Castlight Health, and he believes that technology combined with the human touch can increase everyone’s health.

“What we actually do is a combination of things. [We] certainly help you with content that helps you understand, why is that important? And what is it? But it's also about now using the power of high touch, right? This is essentially a key element of what our care guides do. On their single panel as they support our users, they actually have your whole health profile, but also the key recommendations and the gaps that you need to be closing.” 

Healthcare can feel like the ocean. It’s huge, important, overwhelming at times, and its waves can crash down on a person if they’re not careful. There’s a sea of healthcare information out there. Without some assistance, no one person can gather it all, make sense of it, figure out a plan, and then act accordingly. Fortunately, we do have help. There is technology that can guide us through the data and help us figure out what to do. Well-intentioned people can be a great support too. The key is getting technology and humanity working together toward the common goal of individual and community health. 

On this episode of IT Visionaries, Vijay explains the steps we can take to create a system that aggregates health data, personalizes it, and then helps engage people in making healthy decisions. He also shares how future innovation can help those who need services the most by identifying need and targeting care. Enjoy the episode!

Takeaways:

• Three Tech Steps Toward a Healthy System: The first step is aggregating data from a variety of sources concerning health providers and procedures. Secondly, users need the ability to have personalized health information that is driven by the data. The last step involves engaging users so that they can adjust their behaviors to act on information that supports their health. 
• Commonality Between Taxes and Healthcare: Making technological advances for people is not only about taking something that is incredibly complex and making it more simple. People need confidence that they can actually do something in order to even give it a try. The need for confidence to complete one’s taxes is similar to the confidence required to care for one’s health, as it is in many other important endeavors. The human touch can help support people’s confidence and encourage their perseverance.
• Tech/Health Innovations: Targeting services to people who really need it is something to look forward to and be motivated to do. Information will hopefully become less siloed and more holistic. A.I. advances will target/personalize health even more and then drive healthy behavior changes.

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

We talk to our computer by asking it a question and then the computer talks back, trying its best to answer it. At least that’s how the conversation generally happens between humans and A.I. Sometimes we’re happy with the computer’s answer and other times, not so much, and we either try again until we’re successful or give up. But real learning takes place with true dialogue, when there are successive exchanges that deepen understanding and where either a person or a computer can start the conversation. For people and computers to learn, good data is very important — as are ways to access it quickly. Even more important is constructive communication driven by language. Corey Patton is the Co-Founder and CEO of Pramana Labs, and he thinks prose and narrative conversations are the future in communication between A.I. and people.

“We created a way to learn about a relational database using training processes and NLP models that allows a user to just ask the question in free text. What are the most home runs that any Angels outfielder has had in seven at bats, and then instantly get the answer back. It comes back in tables and graphs, and then also human prose, narrative language.” 

Developments in natural-language processing are beginning to allow for dialogue between people and A.I., which in turn creates a foundation for learning. Many people point to the bright, shiny object of vehicle automation when thinking about the potential for A.I., but perhaps the most exciting aspect of A.I. overall is the future of conversation and the amazing opportunity for learning quality exchanges between people and computers will provide. After all, this thirst for learning, and our need to talk to do so, may draw humans and computers even closer together.

On this episode of IT Visionaries, Corey covers the bases about how natural-language processing is being incorporated into the sports world, with professional leagues such as the NHL and beloved publications like Baseball America relying on the technology to get information to audiences more accurately and quickly. And, as Corey says, that’s just the beginning for Pramana Labs as its applications are seeping into other industries spanning from commerce to finance to mortgage lending. Enjoy the episode!

Takeaways

• Building a MVP: When creating a product, it’s important to solve one particular problem for a customer rather than trying to solve all of them. Lean on the customer to inform the scope of the product based on what they need.
• Making the NLP Reusable: Having reusable, paramentixed, and interchangeable pieces of NLP data cuts down the time required to get a question answered. Once a question is answered, another question can be asked with only a slight variation, and then another answer can be quickly provided. In this sense, both speed and delivery of accurate information increases.
• Answering Questions for Intent: The key in NLP is to discover what question a person is trying to ask and then offer up the correct answer. Looking at the entire sentence signature through an analysis of all the pieces that the computer has been trained for allows A.I. the ability to decipher the sentence and then respond accordingly. 
• A True Two-Way Conversation: The future of NLP is really tech that scans a database and then provides prose, narrative responses. In fact, A.I. will react to things that are happening in real time and create a narrative for what it is seeing without the user necessarily having to ask any questions. This will allow A.I. to initiate conversation and guide a person to the knowledge that they are seeking.

IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Each day, we’re coming into contact more and more with artificial intelligence and machine learning that is meant to make our lives better. We’ve all had some A.I. experiences that have gone really well. Perhaps, we didn’t even realize A.I. was helping us at first. On the other hand, getting help from A.I. doesn’t always work out perfectly, at least not right away. So why the inconsistency? If the human mind can take in so much complex information and make sense of it, why can’t our computers? Or can they if they have good data to learn from? Brad Porter, CTO of Scale AI, believes the key to A.I. learning efficiently is the right labeling:

“What you need is those samples to be labeled perfectly because if they're labeled ambiguously, then the model can't actually decide what exactly is signal versus noise. So one way to solve that is to throw more and more data at it. Eventually you have enough data that the algorithms learn, okay, this is the signal and all these other pieces are the noise. If you get [a] really high quality signal, though, you can learn that signal very quickly if there's not a lot of noise in it.”

Computers need lots of data to learn. More accurately, they really need lots of quality data labeled properly. Fundamentally, this just makes sense. The best way to learn something is through repeated exposure and practice. This is just as true for people as it is for computers. That’s where Brad comes in. On this episode of IT Visionaries, Brad explains how his diverse work experience, particularly his work in robotics, ultimately led him to focus on solving the problem of data labeling for A.I, which is setting us up for an exciting future. After all, if proper labeling is the key, and the key is becoming more readily available, then we can expect great things in the A.I. space. Brad discusses some of those great things, including how the tech will help us understand medical histories and its use in autonomous vehicles. Enjoy the episode!

Main Takeaways

• Breaking the Data Bottleneck: There is a lot of data in the world for A.I. to access. The primary issue for machine learning is for the computer to be able to distinguish what information is most important so it can learn. In this way, people and computers are similar. But computers need our help to know what data is essential. 
• Labeling Data is Key: It’s easy to get caught up in the glamorous possibilities of A.I. and how it can help us. Computers need data to learn, but they need the right data to learn effectively and efficiently. Labeling data is essential to speed up the pace in computer learning. 
• What is Signal Vs. What is Noise: Proper labeling helps A.I. distinguish between signal as opposed to noise. A.I. doesn’t necessarily need massive amounts of data to learn if the right, properly-labeled data is being provided.
• Quantity vs Quality: Without proper labeling, there has been a tendency to simply inundate A.I. with data so learning can happen eventually. Of course, this is inefficient and costly. Proper labeling streamlines this process. In an ideal situation for learning, there’s a tremendous amount of data that’s also all properly labeled. With large amounts of properly labeled, automated data, A.I. has a real chance to take off.

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It used to be the case that we mostly proved our identity by offering up a piece of paper. Perhaps that seems silly now — at least a little. In the digital age, that is definitely no longer the situation — and for good reason. Right now, we have difficulties of our own. Today, our digital information seems like it is everywhere and available for anyone to access, whether they are well intentioned or not. Because there is so much information, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to prove who someone actually is or is not. Through the use of A.I., Persona answers the fundamental question: Are you who you say you are? Rick Song is the CEO and Co-Founder of Persona, and he believes removing humans from the verification process is part of the solution.

Main Takeaways:

• Identity Service Tools: Building identity infrastructure can be incredibly challenging for companies if that is not their area of expertise. Rather than having to create that structure from scratch, integrating an A.I. platform can make identity verification much easier. Using A.I. technology increases speed, privacy, and specificity.
• Tailoring to Companies and People: Many companies and people suffer due to lack of trusted identity services geared directly for them. Companies typically have difficulty identifying their customers. Through the use of A.I. technology, customers can be reached that historically have not had access to important resources.
• Learning to Sell: It’s definitely not easy transitioning from engineering to selling. Good friends, mentors, practice, and lots of honesty help. Focusing on the customer rather than what the company does is the key. Find what the customer cares about and hone in on that. 

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IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Many times we think about ideas in terms of debate — that there are only two ideas that are oppositional in nature and that one is superior to the other. This is true right now in the network conversation concerning an industry push toward either decentralized edge computing or more centralized network systems. What if, as is often the case, there is another way to think about duality where a unity lies somewhere in between? Raj Yavatkar, CTO of Juniper Networks, believes that to be the situation in terms of the debate for supremacy between decentralized versus centralized networks. 

“So before I get into the debate, which is a very interesting debate, you can say that three factors, a trio of trains, are coming together. People are putting more and more workloads to the public cloud, the 5G infrastructure, which is very densified, and there [are] micro cells.There's a densification of the traffic, which is at the edge. And third is the new applications based on A.I., M.L. and analytics. So when you look at all these three trends, it's not so much just sending the traffic to the public cloud. You're using edge from multiple lists.” 

In this episode of IT Visionaries, Raj proposes that, in truth, networks can be both things simultaneously as they become increasingly “aggregated at the edge.” He also shares that teleportation via quantum networking is occurring right now.

Main Takeaway

• Aggregation at the Edge: Rather than an either or proposition concerning decentralized edge computing or centralized network consolidation, there is a great deal of network aggregation at the edge. On one hand, there is a drive to centralize due to the ability to send traffic to the public cloud. Alternatively, issues concerning limits of data transfer across national boundaries due to GDPR regulations as well as the potential need for local networks for automation are promoting edge computing. In reality, aggregation is still occurring but simply on the edge.
• Customers Drive Tech Advances: Customers are the vanguard of technological advancement and driving development based upon their evolving needs. Customers increasingly want automation and predictive analytics to support maintenance. In terms of network service, this includes maintaining the physical products that support the network operating seamlessly.
• Quantum Networking is Real: Not only is computing capacity advancing rapidly but so is communications. Simply put, quantum networking is real. It is based upon the idea of encoding data into quantum bits in order to send it along a network. In other words, teleportation is not relegated to the realm of science fiction. It’s happening now.

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IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Every solution starts with an idea. Consumers needed more home security, so the founders of Ring came up with the smart doorbell. Home owners had trouble finding time to complete recurring tasks like vacuuming, so Roomba automated the vacuum. But despite those great ideas, every founder needs some help along the way. Or more specifically, they often need financial backing to scale a business, and they need someone to believe in them when others won’t. 

“We often joke that our best investments are the ones that nobody else likes. We're investors in Dollar Shave Club and I was told that was stupid. It was acquired for a billion dollars. With Ring, people laughed at me and they're like, ‘You invested in a doorbell business?’ A lot of times the ones that aren't necessarily obvious are really the best opportunities. So it was digging in and understanding if this does work, is it going to be really valuable?”

Kevin Dunlap is Co-founder and Managing Partner of Calibrate Ventures, a VC firm focused on funding early-stage A.I. and automation companies. Every year Kevin and his partners sift through hundreds of companies looking to take the next step in their entrepreneurial journey. But what separates the companies that receive funding from the ones that never make it past the pitch stage? And what trends is he seeing within the automation and A.I. space? On this episode of IT Visionaries, Kevin explains Calibrate process for picking companies to partner with and what questions start-ups should be answering before they step up to pitch to VCs. Enjoy this episode.

Main Takeaways

• It’s All About Data: Data capturing and data labeling remains the two most important factors to developing functional A.I. solutions. When data is not effectively captured and/or labeled, the algorithm cannot effectively decipher what it needs to in real time. An example of this involves self-driving cars that need to not only be able to recognize the distance of a truck in front of them, but what kind of truck is in front of the vehicle, and all the other road conditions that could impact a drive.
• Honesty Gets you Far: Everyone wants to impress in their pitch to a VC, after all, the ability for them to fund a business could make or break a company. But one of the leading things that separates good pitches from great ones is the ability to admit where there is a gap in your business and how funding will help you close that gap. Going into a pitch meeting with all the answers is an early red flag and raises more questions than answers.
• Building a Better Tomorrow: With a growing labor shortage in tough skills and technical skills, companies and government programs must invest in STEM and STEAM programs to ensure that we are funding future generations of innovations, but also opening up more geographical regions as well. This also means that investors want to see how owners recruit talent to an organization, but also their strategy for training and retraining individuals to fit the needs of the business.

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IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Standing in line at an airport is a bad experience. Shuffling through your wallet once you reach the front of that line only to realize you don’t have your driver’s license, that’s a worse experience. From boarding airplanes to purchasing alcohol, the technology that enables digital driver’s licenses already exists, but with adoption levels still so slow, the question is what’s the hold up?

“I always liken it to chess and checkers — checkers, super easy to play. And giving access to people is playing checkers. Giving access to people based upon them being who they say they are, that they're doing what they're supposed to be doing, that they are where they're supposed to be, that they've been given approval for those assets, that's chess.There's this notion of authentication authorization approval, and today it's expanded into verification and proofing. So four key components and just like chess, you learn how to play it relatively quickly, but you spend the rest of your life mastering it.”

At least 17 states in the continental US have considered or implemented digital driver’s licenses, but few have been able to create a system that leads to widespread adoption across the population and in government offices alike. On this episode ofIT Visionaries, Richard Bird, the Chief Customer Information Officer at Ping Identity, explains what the hold up is in getting digital driver’s licenses to all 50 states, and he sheds light on the biggest obstacle that is stalling the adoption process.

Main Takeaway

• The Privacy Paradox: From GDPR to CCPA, all data privacy legislation requires companies to protect consumers from harm that could come by way of using its product or services. But there are few or no rules or guidelines that protect users from their own digital identities. This means that companies must take on a larger role in not only making sure that users’ digital identities are secure, but that they are educating users on the proper ways to protect themselves.
• You’re So Predictable: Digital identity experiences need a vessel to live on such as smartphones or wearable devices, but one of the big concerns from implementing these pieces of equipment is the amount of data that will be gathered from these events. What is the appropriate level of data aggregation and how much is too much when it comes to being able to predict things such as human behaviors and predictability patterns?
• A More Inclusive Environment: Digital identity has the power to be a key driver to globalgrowth and digital transformation, but at the same time it can also lead to data biases that are collected from these. If someone fails to update an address on their driver’s license, that information could lead to misrepresentation of population.

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The way we learn is no longer unilateral. So why act as if still one teacher, standing in front of a group of students lecturing them on a particular subject is the best way for them to learn a second language? Instead of teaching simple words or phrases such as bike, or car, what if the focus was on developing the skills that actually help people advance their careers? 

“The old way of teaching, where you teach the same thing to everybody — teacher in front of the room, using a textbook that gets purchased — no one thinks that's a good way of doing it. Good teachers actually go out and try to find supplemental materials that were interesting to their students. They look for news articles, or short stories, or something, but they can't take all that content and curate it and deliver it to learners. It's impossible for humans to do that. However, machines are really good at doing that. When I realized that was the very best way to teach learners, I decided to try to use computers for what technology can do best, to let people do what teachers do best.”

That’s Dr. Katie Nielson, who earned her PhD in the school of languages from the University of Maryland in 2013, where her research focused on technology-mediated language training. Katie has dedicated her career to making language learning more accessible and now, as the CEO and founder of Voxy EnGen, she’s using technology to deliver high-quality needs-based instruction to immigrants and refugees.

On this episode of IT Visionaries Katie, dives into why the way we teach language in the states is a broken process and how to fix it. She also explains how her platform is delivering personalized learning at scale to those that need it most. Enjoy!

Main Takeaways

• If There’s A Problem, Fix it: When you’re developing a solution to a problem, you have to think about how your solution can be applied across different verticals. This means taking time to research the various options you have when it comes to getting your product to market, but also thinking about what your unique identifier is.
• A Barrier to Success: English is often what holds workers back from succeeding at their jobs. Instead of non-English speakers having to go to class in order to advance their linguistic skills, they should be able to do that on their own time with a program that teaches them the basics, but real-world scenarios based on their jobs to help them  improve.
• Setting a Baseline: When you’re developing any kind of algorithm or personalized experience, the first thing you have to identify and establish is a baseline for your measurement. This is how you identify the areas where someone needs to grow, but it also can be used as a tool to identify how far a user has come with your program.

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IT Visionaries is brought to you by the Salesforce Platform - the #1 cloud platform for digital transformation of every experience. Build connected experiences, empower every employee, and deliver continuous innovation - with the customer at the center of everything you do. Learn more at salesforce.com/platform

Companies are built off profitability. The investments you make are designed to support the products or services you sell. But let's be honest for a moment, you like buying the things that are core to your business because that’s what you care about. The secondary expenses that occur, those are less fun. Whether you’re dealing in electronics, retail, mortgages, or hamburgers, inevitably there are expenses that arise that don’t support your product. So how do you cut down on those expenses? And how can all the data gathered from shipping and receiving actually improve your profit margins? 

“What's not core to you is core to us. What I mean by core to your businesses is at Harley Davidson, they make motorcycles. They source and buy steel, bolts, oil, leather, so on and so forth. But what they also need to operate their business is they need marketing. They need packaging, they need stores to sell their motorcycles in. Their retail operation. They need to ship things. It's everything else.”

Craig Garno is the CTO at LogicSource and he’s helping companies such as LuluLemon, BIG Lots, and Tupperware cut down and streamline their spending. On this episode of IT Visionaries, Craig explains why companies that fail to focus on indirect services will struggle to scale the business while also paying more than fair market value. Plus he dives into how LogicSource is helping these businesses trim the fat on those investments, and the role data management plays in its efforts.Enjoy this episode.

Main Takeaways