Consulting the Future

Tech Talks Network
  • 0.0 (0)
  • BUSINESS

Consulting the Future is a podcast from the Tech Talks Network that connects you directly to the strategists, researchers, and change-makers shaping the Future of business technology. In this series, host Neil C. Hughes speaks with senior voices from firms including Deloitte, PwC, Accenture, EY, KPMG, BCG, and Gartner, bringing you informed conversations grounded in real enterprise experiences. Rather than hype or speculation, this show offers grounded insight into how complex organizations navigate digital change at scale. Whether looking at AI adoption in financial services, the realities of ERP transformations, or the evolving role of risk and compliance in tech decision-making, each episode offers a seat with those who advise the C-suite. We'll explore how firms like Deloitte are integrating design thinking with large-scale program delivery, why KPMG takes a controls-first approach to tech roadmaps, and how PwC balances governance with execution. From Accenture's investments in immersive tech to EY's work in enterprise agility and Gartner's independent view of what's coming next, this podcast maps the real conversations that are shaping boardroom priorities across industries. This is not about buzzwords. It's about frameworks that work and strategies that deliver. Consulting the Future is your next listen if you're a business or technology leader seeking perspective from those who help define the global playbook for transformation. So, what role should research, advisory, and consulting play in your transformation journey? Join the conversation and share your own insights on the Future of enterprise innovation.

  1. How EY Sees Marketplaces Shaping The Future Of Enterprise AI

    4D AGO

    How EY Sees Marketplaces Shaping The Future Of Enterprise AI

    In this episode of Consulting The Future, I’m joined by Julie Teigland, Global Vice Chair – Alliances & Ecosystems at EY, to unpack the growing role marketplaces are playing in enterprise AI adoption. At a time when organizations are overwhelmed by tools, vendors, and bold claims, Julie offers a pragmatic view of how marketplaces can collapse complexity rather than add to it. We begin by exploring why so many AI initiatives stall between pilot and production. The issue, as Julie sees it, is rarely a lack of technology. It is the friction between tools, governance, integration, and operating models. Marketplaces, when designed well, bring together pre-vetted solutions, integration patterns, security signals, and governance frameworks. That coordination reduces the invisible work leaders often underestimate, such as vendor risk reviews, compliance checks, and architecture validation. Julie is candid that not all marketplaces are equal. The ones that create value are designed around business outcomes, not product listings. Fraud reduction, supply chain resilience, or industry-specific cost transformation efforts require curated ecosystems. That means benchmarks, peer usage patterns, reference architectures, and assurance around regulatory alignment. For executives facing board-level scrutiny, that difference matters. We also dive into risk and accountability. Julie highlights how many organizations focus on model ethics and accuracy, yet overlook integration risk. Once AI is embedded into workflows, the questions shift. Who owns the decision? How are outcomes logged and audited? What happens when multiple vendor systems interact? This is where governance can break down, especially at scale. Through alliances with leaders such as Microsoft and SAP, EY is helping shape how AI solutions are vetted and deployed across industries. Julie shares how EY applies a “client zero” approach, using its own marketplace internally to test value, resilience, and governance before scaling to clients. With 70,000 clients, 668,000 servers, 13,600 workflows, and 269 million transactions processed daily, the system is tested constantly under real operational pressure. We also examine the influence of the EU AI Act and the contrast between innovation-first and responsibility-by-design approaches across regions. Julie argues that speed and governance are not opposing forces. True acceleration comes from industrializing governance rather than bypassing it. If AI success depends less on technological brilliance and more on clarity, orchestration, and trust, then marketplaces may be evolving from simple app stores into operational control planes. The question is not whether ecosystems matter, but how deliberately you design them. So as AI adoption accelerates inside your organization, are you simply adding tools, or are you building a marketplace strategy that can withstand scrutiny and scale?

    22 min
  2. BCG on Workflow Redesign, Leadership, and the Future of Work

    MAR 2

    BCG on Workflow Redesign, Leadership, and the Future of Work

    What separates organizations that talk about AI from those that actually redesign how work gets done? In this episode of Consulting the Future, I sit down with David Martin, Senior Partner at BCG, to explore what enterprise transformation really looks like beyond the headlines. This conversation goes straight to the heart of what consulting leaders are advising boards and C suites right now. David leads BCG’s People and Organization business and sits on the firm’s global AI leadership team, which gives him a front row seat to how large organizations are approaching AI at scale. He shared why companies seeing real returns are doing fewer things with greater ambition, rather than launching hundreds of disconnected pilots. The difference is not access to tools, it is clarity of workflow and leadership intent. We unpacked why so many organizations remain stuck in experimentation. According to David, the shift happens when leaders rethink work end to end, redesign roles, and embed AI directly into core processes rather than layering it on top. The firms making progress are not chasing marginal time savings. They are restructuring how value is created across functions such as engineering, marketing, and finance. Training emerged as a defining theme. David explained why short workshops are rarely enough and why immersive, hands on learning makes the difference. Supportive leadership behavior increases effective adoption dramatically, and curiosity at the top signals psychological safety across teams. Consulting advice today is as much about mindset and culture as it is about architecture and infrastructure. We also discussed agentic AI, governance risk, and the reality of shadow AI inside enterprise environments. While executives worry about low adoption, many employees are already experimenting outside formal systems. The consulting challenge is balancing innovation with controls, embedding governance without stifling momentum, and aligning IT, HR, and operating models around a shared framework. David reinforced a simple but powerful model. Ten percent algorithms, twenty percent technology, and seventy percent people and process. That ratio has remained consistent across digital waves, and it continues to define where transformation efforts succeed or stall. Consulting firms like BCG are increasingly focused on redesigning workflows and redefining competencies, not simply recommending new tools. As we look toward 2026, David sees acceleration ahead, particularly in healthcare and knowledge intensive sectors. The pace of change will not slow, which makes structured advisory support even more central to enterprise strategy. The question is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to do so with intent, discipline, and a clear operating vision. If you are a business or technology leader thinking about your own roadmap, this episode offers grounded insight from someone helping define the global playbook. What role should advisory firms play in shaping your transformation strategy, and where do you need external perspective most? I would love to hear your thoughts.

    24 min
  3. Iversoft’s Consulting Framework for Long-Term Client Success

    2025-09-03

    Iversoft’s Consulting Framework for Long-Term Client Success

    On this episode of Consulting the Future, I’m joined by Matt Strentz, co-founder of Iversoft, to unpack what the next wave of digital product development really looks like. Matt takes us inside Iversoft’s journey from a small mobile studio at the dawn of the iPhone era to an international innovation partner trusted by enterprises and startups alike. We explore why mobile-first, multi-platform strategies are now essential for gathering real-time user feedback and building products that truly stick. The conversation also dives into Iversoft’s process-driven consulting model, where transparency and quality assurance begin on day one. Matt shares how human-centered design and user experience must be baked into the foundation of every platform, and why AI should be treated as a practical productivity enhancer rather than a shiny buzzword. From adapting lessons across industries like healthcare, aviation, and construction to building long-term client partnerships based on trust, this episode highlights a pragmatic approach to digital transformation. If you want to understand how to prepare your business for emerging technologies without falling into endless pilot projects, this conversation is packed with insights. ********* Visit the Sponsor of Tech Talks Network: Land your first job in tech in 6 months as a Software QA Engineering Bootcamp with Careerist https://crst.co/OGCLA

    44 min
  4. IBM Consulting’s Guide to Building Trustworthy and Effective AI Systems

    2025-08-11

    IBM Consulting’s Guide to Building Trustworthy and Effective AI Systems

    When AI steps into the boardroom, it’s rarely a quiet arrival. Expectations are set high, with promises of sharper productivity, streamlined workflows, and measurable efficiency gains. But as Francesco Brenna, Global Leader of AI Integration Services at IBM Consulting, points out in this episode of Consulting the Future, the true opportunity lies in something far deeper than speed. It’s about reimagining the way entire businesses function. Recorded during a sweltering summer in New York, our conversation breaks down what “agentic AI” really means for leaders under pressure to make AI more than a buzzword. Francesco draws a clear line between the passive assistants many companies have experimented with and the next generation of intelligent agents that not only advise but act. This shift, he argues, demands more than dropping AI into an existing system. It calls for rebuilding processes from the ground up with business outcomes as the starting point. We dig into why data readiness remains the number one barrier to success, despite years of investment in platforms and governance. Francesco introduces the concept of “data products” to ensure AI agents operate with the right context and memory. He outlines IBM’s three-layer approach to agentic applications: user experience, orchestration, and data. He also explains why standards like Model Control Protocol (MCP) may be the key to integrating AI with legacy systems at scale without sacrificing security or trust. Francesco shares real-world results from IBM’s work in customer service, insurance, and pharma, where agentic AI has dramatically improved containment rates, reduced months of work to weeks, and enabled smarter decision-making for knowledge workers. He is candid about the human side of adoption, detailing how IBM uses hackathons, hands-on experimentation, and human-centered design to build confidence and capability across the workforce. For enterprise leaders grappling with how to move AI out of the pilot phase and into meaningful, measurable impact, this conversation offers a grounded, practical roadmap built on doing the right AI, and doing it right.

    26 min
  5. Beyond the Hype: KPMG’s Framework for Trusted AI in the Enterprise

    2025-07-26

    Beyond the Hype: KPMG’s Framework for Trusted AI in the Enterprise

    In this episode of Consulting the Future, I’m joined by James Osborne, Chief Digital Officer at KPMG UK, to explore how one of the world’s largest professional services firms is approaching AI with clarity, intention, and scale. James shares what he’s learned in his first year as CDO, including the rollout of Ava, KPMG’s internal generative AI assistant now used by over 11,000 employees. We unpack how Ava is surfacing firmwide expertise, why adoption is about people before platforms, and how KPMG’s Trusted AI Framework is helping to embed ethical, human-centric principles into every use case. We also dig into: The mindset shift required to move from AI hype to real-world impactHow the “Summer of AI” initiative reached 16,000 participants across 14 countriesThe role of digital ninjas in driving cultural changeHow AI is augmenting professionals rather than replacing themWhy KPMG is focused on curated knowledge and client-specific intelligenceLessons learned from early adoption, including why managing expectations mattersJames also reflects on how AI can be both revolutionary and familiar, referencing the 1966 ELIZA chatbot as a reminder that hype cycles always have history. His advice to other organisations is simple: don’t wait to get started. Start small, stay pragmatic, and bring your people with you.

    25 min
  6. From Guesswork to Growth: Making Innovation Predictable with L.E.K. Consulting

    2025-07-17

    From Guesswork to Growth: Making Innovation Predictable with L.E.K. Consulting

    Why do up to 90% of new product launches still fail, even in the age of AI? In this episode of Consulting the Future, I’m joined by Stuart Jackson, Vice Chair of L.E.K. Consulting and author of Predictable Winners, a new book that distills nearly four decades of innovation strategy into a practical framework for reducing failure rates in product and service development. Stuart shares the hard truths behind failed innovation efforts, from siloed thinking and unmanaged risk to the myth of the “big idea.” He also reveals what top innovators do differently and how AI is beginning to play a critical role in spotting demand signals, identifying unmet needs, and shaping smarter bets. We explore: Why many great ideas still fail without systems to manage risk across the innovation lifecycleHow AI is improving forecasting, testing, and early-stage product screeningThe power of external innovation strategies like acquisitions and licensingWhy speed matters, but discipline matters moreWhat established firms can learn from startups without falling for the “fail fast” trapReal-world examples from litter robots to autonomous aircraft landingsWhether you're building a startup, leading R&D, or navigating innovation inside a Fortune 500, this episode is packed with grounded insights to help you innovate with more clarity, more precision, and a lot less waste. If you want to shift from product guesswork to a repeatable innovation strategy, this is the place to start.

    23 min
  7. How PwC’s Brad Herndon Is Redefining Customer Data and Trust in the Age of AI

    2025-07-08

    How PwC’s Brad Herndon Is Redefining Customer Data and Trust in the Age of AI

    In this episode of Consulting the Future, I sit down with Brad Herndon, a partner in PwC’s Customer Transformation practice, to unpack the real-world challenges and opportunities at the intersection of customer data, AI, and marketing strategy. Brad draws on over 20 years of experience in data and analytics to explain why businesses still struggle to use their data effectively, what’s changing in the way customer information is collected and applied, and how organizations can evolve their personalization strategies without crossing into territory that risks trust. He also reflects on the shift from isolated data silos to more unified, audience-level insights that still respect privacy and consent. This conversation offers a clear-eyed look at the practical uses of AI, the limits of over-personalization, and the technologies helping companies move toward more relevant and respectful customer engagement. Brad also shares his thoughts on the value of slowing down, citing Cal Newport’s book Deep Work as a personal and professional inspiration for navigating this complex digital landscape. If you want to understand how customer-centric strategies are evolving inside real enterprises, and how firms like PwC are helping shape that future, this is the episode to hear.

    27 min
  8. Reframing ROI and Hybrid Cloud: A Conversation with Varun Bijlani, IBM Consulting

    2025-06-25

    Reframing ROI and Hybrid Cloud: A Conversation with Varun Bijlani, IBM Consulting

    In this episode of Consulting the Future, I sit down with Varun Bijlani, Global Managing Partner for Hybrid Cloud Services at IBM Consulting, to unpack the real-world challenges and opportunities facing enterprise leaders today. Varun shares candid insights on why the shine has come off many digital and cloud transformations and what needs to change to deliver measurable returns. We discuss the pitfalls of being hybrid by default and how a hybrid by design strategy can radically shift how businesses deploy AI, manage data and keep costs in check. Drawing from global client examples, Varun outlines how companies are moving from generic IT spending to targeted investments that protect margins, speed up time-to-market and unlock new value from AI-driven innovation. We also touch on the future of infrastructure, from embedded security and energy efficiency to the evolving role of agent-based AI. If you are navigating the next phase of your company’s cloud journey or questioning how to align IT architecture with financial results, this conversation will give you a clear-eyed perspective from someone helping shape transformation at scale. Listen in and join the discussion on how consulting, design thinking and practical frameworks can turn technology promises into real business performance.

    26 min
See All (17)

About

Consulting the Future is a podcast from the Tech Talks Network that connects you directly to the strategists, researchers, and change-makers shaping the Future of business technology. In this series, host Neil C. Hughes speaks with senior voices from firms including Deloitte, PwC, Accenture, EY, KPMG, BCG, and Gartner, bringing you informed conversations grounded in real enterprise experiences. Rather than hype or speculation, this show offers grounded insight into how complex organizations navigate digital change at scale. Whether looking at AI adoption in financial services, the realities of ERP transformations, or the evolving role of risk and compliance in tech decision-making, each episode offers a seat with those who advise the C-suite. We'll explore how firms like Deloitte are integrating design thinking with large-scale program delivery, why KPMG takes a controls-first approach to tech roadmaps, and how PwC balances governance with execution. From Accenture's investments in immersive tech to EY's work in enterprise agility and Gartner's independent view of what's coming next, this podcast maps the real conversations that are shaping boardroom priorities across industries. This is not about buzzwords. It's about frameworks that work and strategies that deliver. Consulting the Future is your next listen if you're a business or technology leader seeking perspective from those who help define the global playbook for transformation. So, what role should research, advisory, and consulting play in your transformation journey? Join the conversation and share your own insights on the Future of enterprise innovation.

Information

More From Tech Talks Network