EY Tech Connect Ernst & Young

In this episode of the EY Tech Connect podcast, we explore the pressing challenges that the telecommunications sector is currently tackling. Some of the critical topics covered are: effective management of data security and privacy requirements, the ever-growing importance of relevant talent acquisition and upskilling amid rapid technological advancements, and the absolute necessity to respond to consumers' demands efficiently while being cost conscious. A walkthrough of the EY organization’s annual report on the top 10 risks in telecommunications uncovers the industry's current concerns, from underestimated changing imperatives and privacy to the need for new talent acquisition strategies to match the pace of technology developments. Emerging challenges like the sustainability agenda and harnessing the potential of new business models also take center stage in the discussions. Beyond merely identifying the risks, the conversation provides insightful strategies to mitigate them and highlights potential opportunities they might unlock. Wrapping up this insightful episode, we discuss upcoming trends and steps the industry needs to take to secure a profitable future.


Hear insights from:



Adrian Baschnonga, EY Global Technology, Media & Entertainment and Telecommunications (TMT) Lead
Tom Loozen, EY Global Telecommunications Leader
Krista Walpole, Global Telecommunications BMC Leader


Key takeaway:


As telecom operators continue to navigate a complex and shifting global industry landscape, we examine the top 10 risks they face in 2024. Click below to review the EY rankings: https://www.ey.com/en_gl/insights/telecommunications/top-10-risks-for-telecommunications

Join us as we take a closer look at a few of the most intriguing topics from the EY article Top 10 Opportunities for Technology Companies in 2024. Dive into this fascinating discussion in the latest EY Tech Connect Podcast episode. Listen as we explore some of the key areas of positive impact that tech companies should be exploring in the coming year, including GenAI centric strategies, the essential role of digital infrastructure, and the evolving risks in this ever changing market landscape. Our host, Tracy Watt, alongside Ken Englund and Olivier Wolf, delve into the impact of the AI revolution, the crucial influence of energy resources in shaping business models, and the eminent role of sustainability in today’s corporate strategies. Tune in as they discuss the great strides made in the digital transformation journey and the potential of tech companies to create significant competitive advantages with informed decision-making models and strategic investment choices. Don't miss this engaging discussion filled with valuable insights and perspectives.


Hear insights from:



Ken Englund, EY Americas TMT Industry Markets Leader
Tracy Watt, EY Global TMT Sector Strategy, Operations and Solutions Leader
Olivier Wolf, EY-Parthenon Global TMT Sector Leader


Key takeaways include:


The vital role of emerging tech, including GenAI, in shaping future business strategies and the rise of the Edge economy. The increasing need for sustainability initiatives, focusing primarily on energy usage due to the surge in data centers, and the significant impact of efficient investments in digital infrastructure in capturing the potential of Gen AI environments. The episode underlines the importance of proactive measures in addressing emerging risks and underlines the vast growth opportunities in 2024 for tech firms.


Click here or below to review the EY rankings of the significant opportunities for technology companies in 2024:


https://www.ey.com/en_gl/tmt/top-10-opportunities-for-technology-companies-in-2024

Join us as we talk about how the software economy and the businesses that power it have evolved, the disruption that the pandemic and macroeconomic environment are causing in the industry, and how decision-makers can proactively manage and leverage this disruption to move their long-term growth strategy forward.


For the industry, flexibility is one of the key watchwords, especially as workers demand more flexibility in when and where they work. Companies need to think differently about how that flexibility affects not just the way they develop products, but their entire operating model. Leaders also need to think very intentionally about how they impart the organization’s culture to new joiners in the workforce. If you don’t get the culture right, you won’t be able to do anything else right.


The elements of flexibility and culture are also essential when considering potential mergers and acquisitions (M&A). How the target is adapting to a new operating environment is a key indicator of how well it might fit in and help advance an organization’s long-term strategy.


Hear insights from


Allie Earle O’Rourke, EY-Parthenon Principal, Software Strategy Group
Keith MacKay, EY-Parthenon Managing Director, Software Strategy Group


Along with our EY Tech Connect moderators


Andrew Young, EY Global TMT Analyst
Christina Winquist, EY Global TMT Go-to-Market Strategy Leader


Key takeaways include


Companies should maintain pandemic lessons on how to pivot and adapt.
They need to choose the right operating model for their organization to adapt to macroeconomic headwinds.
Flexibility is essential, but strategies are needed for maintaining the organization’s culture. Parameters can be set around remote work to provide flexibility along with accountability.
There are different R&D strategies and collaboration tools that companies can adopt. Examining strategies and tools chosen by a target should be part of due diligence.

Join us as we take a closer look at a few of the most intriguing topics from the EY article Top 10 opportunities for technology companies in 2023. The episode begins with an exchange on the importance of technology in today’s business landscape and views on the current and future market for mergers and acquisitions (M&A).


The hosts discuss how companies are focused on the profitability of their core business and how an agile mindset is needed to deal with the current challenges with Talent and workplace models. They then delve into the impact of supply chain challenges. Followed by dialogue on the perpetually increasing significance of sustainability for tech companies.


The hosts expand on how companies are transforming their business models to meet customer needs and improve revenues. Then they dive into topics that include cloud computing, cybersecurity measures, data analytics and automation. They expand on each of these and their potential impact on business operations. The hosts stress the need for the ongoing evaluation and updating of technology to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive.


Hear insights from:


Ken Englund, EY Americas TMT Industry Markets Leader
Tracy Watt, EY Global TMT Sector Strategy, Operations and Solutions Leader
Olivier Wolf, EY-Parthenon Global TMT Sector Leader


The hosts believe the tech sector is fundamentally strong and will overcome adverse conditions as a driver of economic growth, even though they expect the volatility levels to remain high on most fronts. Click here to review the EY rankings of the significant opportunities for technology companies in 2023: Top 10 opportunities for technology companies in 2023.

Join us as we discuss how tech companies need an agile operating model to thrive and accelerate growth in this constantly changing business environment. Developing an agile operational structure; reimagining the workplace; redefining global compliance policies; and embracing environmental, social and governance (ESG) needs are all key principles in the drive to a future-fit operating model. This focus has a massive impact on the organization and workforce, specifically in tech organizations.


In this episode, we explore the importance of organizational resiliency and the need for companies to identify vulnerabilities, including those related to talent, and really be purposeful in how they go about reshaping their operating models and workforce to mitigate those vulnerabilities.


We review the need for tech companies to be more agile, including through a staffing approach that first leverages new talent-sourcing technologies and capabilities and second relies on skills and competencies rather than just roles or departments.


Over the past few years, the changes and challenges of the workforce have intensified the need for companies to navigate generational shifts and focus on employee well-being to differentiate themselves as a great place to work.


Finally, in terms of operational models, it’s clear that transformation requires constant change, and for the talent agenda, that includes new forms of collaboration and building a winning culture. A workforce that has humans at the center can position companies for success.


Hear insights from:

Juliette Meunier, EY Americas TMT People Advisory Services Leader
Susan Robinson, EY Global TMT People Advisory Services and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Leader




Along with our EY Tech Connect moderators:

Andrew Young, EY Global TMT Analyst
Christina Winquist, EY Global TMT Go-to-Market Strategy Leader




To gain deeper insights into the growing risks and challenges that technology companies must overcome while operating in a truly global environment, EY teams conducted a research survey of more than 750 technology company executives around the world, taking a representative view of companies by scale, geography and the technology subsector in which they sit. Explore the results: https://www.ey.com/en_gl/technology-sector/how-do-you-stay-on-course-when-the-direction-keeps-changing.


To learn more about the EY Humans at the Center Study, please visit: https://www.ey.com/en_us/workforce/humans-at-the-center.


For your convenience, a full-text transcript of this podcast is also available. Read the transcript.

Join us as we talk about how to improve the customer experience within the gaming industry at the center of the metaverse. We discuss how gaming organizations are preparing themselves for an asset-driven metaverse, including the challenges and potential regulatory concerns.


We’ll also hear how gaming businesses can operate, be profitable and collaborate with each other in the same space and same digital economy.


For gaming organizations to collaborate, assets must be exchanged. A digital economy is vital to the next generation of the gaming industry and to create unique customer experiences.


 


Hear insights from:



Adrian Ang, Senior Director, Strategy at EY-Parthenon
Scott Porter, EY Americas Media & Entertainment Consulting Services Leader
Matthew Reynolds, Research Manager at Oxford Economics and an expert in IT and analytics
Molly Tucker McCue, East Region Audit Leader and Global Client Service Partner, Ernst & Young LLP


 


Along with our EY Tech Connect moderators:



Adrian Baschnonga, EY Global TMT Lead Analyst
Christina Winquist, EY Global TMT Go-to-Market Strategy Leader


 


Ernst & Young LLP recently surveyed a group of executives from leading gaming companies to gain their insights about the impact of and outlook for the metaverse. Explore the results: What’s possible for the gaming industry in the next dimension?