Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs

Mike Sommer
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Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs is your essential guide to mastering enterprise technology leadership. In every episode, we engage in candid, thought-provoking conversations with top CIOs and IT visionaries, uncovering the strategies, challenges, and game-changing innovations driving digital transformation today. From harnessing AI and cloud technologies to orchestrating large-scale organizational change, Heartbeat cuts through the noise to deliver real-world insights that shape the future of IT leadership. Whether you’re optimizing IT-business alignment, navigating next-gen solutions, or future-proofing your technology strategy, this podcast equips you with the actionable intelligence and foresight needed to stay ahead. Stay connected to the pulse of innovation—because the future of enterprise IT starts here.

  1. JAN 26

    Salesforce AI Readiness: Fix the Fundamentals First

    If you don’t fix the fundamentals, you merely accelerate chaos. Salesforce AI readiness starts with data quality, process clarity, and governance—not demos. Everyone wants to “buy AI,” but few CIOs are willing to do the unglamorous work of fixing the Salesforce data and operating discipline that AI depends on. In this episode of Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs, Mike Sommer sits down with Phil, a veteran tech executive and CIO, to dismantle the myths around digital transformation, Salesforce customization, and when outside advisors help (and when they don’t). Phil makes the case that the modern CIO must evolve from “order taker” to Chief Education Officer—teaching the business why “boring” governance is the real path to safe automation and AI. In this episode, we cover: - The AI Paradox: Why automating broken processes creates faster failure - Truth vs. Theater: How CIOs get an objective view of reality (internally vs. selectively external) - Salesforce Strategy: The “Zappos rule” for what to customize vs. keep out-of-the-box - The Funding Move: Using AI urgency to unlock budget for technical debt + data remediation - Transformation War Stories: The hidden cost of shadow IT and vendor sprawl Why this matters now Pressure to adopt AI (and Agentforce-style automation) is high—but the risk of hallucinations, misrouted work, and structural failure is higher if your foundation is unstable. This conversation gives CIOs a practical script to align business + IT, secure funding for fundamentals, and earn confidence instead of selling change. Confidence OS Brief (subscribe): https://mikesommer.substack.com/ Follow Mike Sommer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikesommer/

    48 min

  2. JAN 10

    UPGRADE ≠ PROGRESS

    Most “digital transformation” programs don’t fail because the technology is wrong. They fail because leadership can’t explain—clearly—what outcome the business is trying to produce, what process creates it, and who owns the truth when the tools change. In this episode, Mike Sommer sits down with Piotr Mlodecki, a global transformation leader in the Salesforce ecosystem, to name the quiet problem CIOs live with every day: Modernization creates motion… but not always progress. Especially in the mid-market, platforms keep getting more powerful, AI is moving faster than governance, and leadership is expected to deliver enterprise-level results with lean teams. This conversation is about the real work: unlearning broken assumptions, rebuilding process discipline, and designing an operating model where AI amplifies outcomes—without turning the business into a constant fire drill. While you watch, ask yourself: Are we modernizing… or just upgrading the chaos? What you’ll take away Why clarity is the most underrated “technology” in your stack The hidden cost of skipping documentation and process governance How AI changes the definition of a “good process” (and exposes weak ones fast) What strong leadership looks like when everyone wants speed—but risk is rising The next era of advisory: outcomes, objectivity, and networks of specialists—not one hero consultant What CIOs should prioritize heading into the next planning cycle Key theme Clarity → Context → Control Not control as bureaucracy—control as the ability to predict outcomes, manage risk, and scale change without breaking people. 👍 If this helps, like/subscribe and share it with a CIO or transformation leader who’s feeling the pressure. 📌 Drop a comment: Where is “upgrade ≠ progress” showing up in your org?

    58 min

  3. 12/04/2025

    Stop Trying To Be A Leader (Do This Instead)

    Stop obsessing over being “more strategic”—start building a team people would actually choose to follow if titles disappeared tomorrow. Most leadership advice teaches you how to act like a leader. In this episode of Heartbeat, I sit down with speaker, coach, and author Antonio Neves (Stop Trying to Be a Leader) to unpack how to become someone people actually want to follow—especially when your title and authority aren’t enough. If you’re a CIO, CTO, or tech leader trying to “be more of a leader,” this is your pattern interrupt. The real move isn’t more leadership content—it’s shifting from performing leadership to building something worth following: clarity, standards, systems, and trust. In this conversation, we cover: Why trying to “be a leader” creates leadership theater, not real change The hidden cost of being the hero: decision bottlenecks, burnout, and fragile teams How great CIOs lead by building clear systems, not louder personalities The difference between influence you own vs. influence you rent from your title A practical shift from “How do I show up as a leader?” to “What system am I building that others can trust?” Resources 📖 Antonio’s book: Stop Trying to Be a Leader on Amazon https://a.co/d/dFIkejR

    49 min

  4. 11/21/2025

    The "Enthusiastic Intern" Problem: Why AI Needs Guardrails

    The "Junior Engineer" role is evaporating. If you are still hiring for entry-level code, you are solving the wrong problem. In the era of Agentic AI, the traditional tech career ladder is crumbling. Oren Michels (CEO, Barndoor AI) argues that companies relying on junior devs to write boilerplate code are building "legacy problems," not future-proof teams. The new reality isn't about writing syntax; it's about managing "enthusiastic interns" (AI Agents) who have speed but lack judgment. In this episode, we break down the massive shift in tech talent, why the "Forward Deployed Entrepreneur" is the new high-ticket asset, and how to pivot your career or hiring strategy before it’s too late. In this episode, we cover: - The Evaporating Role: Why AI is replacing the "Junior" skillset entirely. - The "Intern" Analogy: Why AI agents are like interns with no fear of consequences. - Hiring Strategy: Why you need "Forward Deployed Entrepreneurs," not just coders. - The "Faster Horse" Trap: How to stop iterating and start innovating. - Governance: How to manage AI agents without stifling their potential. About the Guest: Oren Michels is the CEO of Barndoor AI and a former Broadway producer turned tech founder. He bridges the gap between creative chaos and enterprise engineering. #ArtificialIntelligence #JuniorDeveloper #TechCareers #FutureOfWork #AgenticAI #Coding #BarndoorAI #HiringStrategy

    39 min

  5. 10/09/2025

    The Transformation Gap - Why AI Fails — and What Real Leaders Do Differently

    70% of AI projects fail — not because of bad models or missing data, but because of misaligned leadership and culture. The Transformation Gap reveals what separates organizations that scale transformation from those that stall. Hosted by Mike Sommer, this show decodes the human operating system behind enterprise success — how leaders create velocity without volatility, decentralize control without chaos, and turn fear into foresight. Through candid conversations with visionary CIOs, founders, and transformation experts, you’ll learn how to build adaptive systems, resilient teams, and data-driven cultures that actually deliver ROI. If you’re leading Salesforce modernization, AI adoption, or enterprise transformation, this podcast is your field guide to sustainable, measurable change. Because in the age of AI, the companies that win aren’t the ones that move fastest — they’re the ones that move with clarity.

    56 min

  6. 09/24/2025

    Why Most CIOs Fail — And How to Lead Differently

    Most CIOs focus on systems. The best ones build leaders. In this episode, executive coach Joe Woodruff — co-founder of CIO Mastermind — shares what separates high-performing CIOs from those who stall out. After coaching over 300 tech leaders, Joe has seen the patterns: isolation, lack of influence, and over-reliance on technical expertise. We dive into: Why leadership — not tech — is your ultimate differentiator How to overcome executive isolation and build trust The role of AI in reshaping how CIOs lead Practical steps to grow your influence across the C-suite 🎯 If you're ready to move from operational to transformational leadership, this episode is for you.

    37 min

  7. 07/17/2025

    From Hype to Strategy: David Williamson on AI’s Real Role in the Enterprise

    💡 Why do so many digital transformation efforts fall flat?   According to David Williamson, a seasoned C-level tech exec in life sciences, it's not because of the technology—it’s because of the people.   On the latest Heartbeat episode, David joins host Mike Sommer to unpack why transformation fails, how to do it right, and what CIOs must prioritize in 2025.   🎯 Key takeaways: - Cut costs by up to 30% and boost productivity by 20% through disciplined IT strategy. - Avoid “tech-first” thinking—governance, SME engagement, and business buy-in are non-negotiable. - AI isn’t a silver bullet. Without data quality and strategic integration, it’s just noise. - Complexity kills—especially with platforms like Salesforce. Simplicity and alignment win.   He also dives into the shift from legacy consulting to outcome-based advisory, and how AI can accelerate everything from decision-making to drug approvals.   🔊 A must-listen for CIOs rethinking their digital and AI roadmaps.

    37 min

  8. 07/02/2025

    Accelerating Digital Transformation with Ian Gotts | Change Intelligence & Smarter Salesforce Management

    How can CIOs turn their Salesforce orgs from chaotic to catalytic? In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer talks with Ian Gotts, founder of Elements.Cloud, to unpack what it means to implement “change intelligence” in Salesforce environments. Ian reveals the hidden drivers of Salesforce inefficiency—fragmented data, overbuilt systems, and lack of governance—and shares how tools like Elements.Cloud are enabling IT leaders to regain control, reduce technical debt, and drive innovation at scale. 💡 Key Topics: Rethinking Salesforce ownership for enterprise agility AI’s evolving role in consulting and platform management Why proper documentation is now mission-critical Empowering business analysts to accelerate change The mindset shifts CIOs need for scalable Salesforce success 🎧 Whether you’re a CIO, CTO, or digital transformation lead, this is essential listening for anyone managing Salesforce at scale. 🔔 Subscribe for more insights at the intersection of tech strategy, platform operations, and digital leadership. 📌 Timestamps: 00:26 Meet Ian Gotts: The Change Intelligence Pioneer 02:38 The Genesis of Elements.Cloud 05:53 Challenges in Salesforce Management 14:44 Outdated Architectures & Governance Gaps 28:12 AI's Impact on Consulting 37:27 Documentation as a Driver of Innovation 46:59 Mindset Shifts for CIOs 49:21 Optimism for the Future #Salesforce #CIO #DigitalTransformation #ChangeIntelligence #TechLeadership #TechnicalDebt #AI #EnterpriseIT

    51 min
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About

Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs is your essential guide to mastering enterprise technology leadership. In every episode, we engage in candid, thought-provoking conversations with top CIOs and IT visionaries, uncovering the strategies, challenges, and game-changing innovations driving digital transformation today. From harnessing AI and cloud technologies to orchestrating large-scale organizational change, Heartbeat cuts through the noise to deliver real-world insights that shape the future of IT leadership. Whether you’re optimizing IT-business alignment, navigating next-gen solutions, or future-proofing your technology strategy, this podcast equips you with the actionable intelligence and foresight needed to stay ahead. Stay connected to the pulse of innovation—because the future of enterprise IT starts here.

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