Masters of Digital Transformation o9 Solutions

According to PwC, nearly 80% of American consumers say that speed, convenience, knowledgeable help, and friendly service are the most important elements of a positive customer experience. The increasingly sophisticated consumer, along with these heightened expectations, is changing the way business leaders think about how to approach growth strategies.

Simply relying on the traditional levers of promotion is not enough to win the customer’s attention. With Ernst and Young reporting that around 70% of trade promotions lose money, it is clear that as business becomes increasingly complex and unpredictable, the separation of planning and execution functions can help provide clarity through a more holistic view of growth for promotional activities, pricing strategies, and assortment planning.

How can businesses untangle planning from execution to reach consumer expectations and achieve their growth targets in the new year?

In this episode, host Caleb Masters is joined by Francisco Crespo, former Chief Growth Officer at The Coca-Cola Company, to discuss:


His career journey to becoming the Chief Growth Officer at The Coca-Cola Company.


Why increasing consumer expectations are adding to the complexity of today's growth marketing efforts.


The importance of combining integrated planning with focused execution to achieve growth targets.


How to overcome the hurdles of optimizing your business through revenue growth management opportunities.

In today’s dynamic business environment, successful collaboration with suppliers is essential. However, this is no small feat. According to McKinsey & Company, auto manufacturers, on average, have around 250 tier-one suppliers and up to 18,000 total suppliers across the entire value chain. Aerospace manufacturers have an average of 200 tier-one suppliers and 12,000 across all tiers, and technology companies have an average of 125 tier-one suppliers and more than 7,000 across all tiers. 



How should you approach aligning and collaborating with your suppliers to ensure a resilient supply chain?



In this episode, host Caleb Masters and Joerg Hellwig, an investor and the former Chief Digital Officer at LANXESS, discuss:




His career journey to becoming Chief Digital Officer at LANXESS and his latest ventures as an investor






Why it’s important to align production plans across suppliers and multiple tiers






The importance of including suppliers and customers in the IBP process






How to filter relevant risk signals from suppliers to generate actionable insights

According to McKinsey, 67% of businesses that attempt digital transformations fail to achieve the maximum financial benefits from their original goals. 



Forbes cites a lack of shared vision, accountability, and innovation as key contributors to these failures. Ensuring that large-scale digital transformations deliver the desired long-term impact remains an immense challenge.



How can today’s technology leaders ensure their digital and cultural transformations stick?



In this episode of Masters of Digital Transformation, Robert Weltevreden, the former head of technology at Novartis, joins host Caleb Masters to discuss:


His career journey to becoming a member of the Novartis Exec Team as Head of Customer & Technology Solutions (responsible for Business Services & Digital Transformation)


The common hurdles to achieving a successful digital transformation and widespread new tech adoption


How design thinking and the “pyramid of change” can enhance the end-user experience and enable successful implementations


The importance of working with partners to ensure a successful implementation

According to a recent study by Gartner, through 2024, more than 80% of digital strategies will fail to deliver value because of a lack of alignment and collaboration between IT and business units. There's a clear leadership opportunity for technology executives to step up and enable their businesses to achieve successful digital transformations.



However, separate research by Gartner reports that 63% of CIOs and CTOs find it challenging to articulate the business value of IT within their organizations.



How can CIOs and CTOs demonstrate their value and transform the perception of their position from order takers into more strategic roles in the eyes of the board?



In this episode of Masters of Digital Transformation, Rhonda Vetere joins host Caleb Masters to discuss:




Her career journey to becoming one of the most powerful women in technology from CTO at Estée Lauder to CIO of Herbalife, including her critical work as a Global STEM Ambassador and prolific triathlete.


How IT leaders can position themselves as strategic business partners by working with teams cross-functionally to generate top-line revenue.


Building high-performance teams and developing processes prepared for emerging technologies.

According to a recent study conducted by PwC, 41% of consumers stated they are willing to pay additional fees. With consumer expectations further shifting to an always-on virtual e-commerce experience, same day delivery expenditure is expected to reach $15.6 billion by 2025 in the U.S. alone.



Additional research from McKinsey & Company recently reported that mature integrated business planning (IBP) processes increased sales opportunities by as much as 50%, improved service levels up to 20%, and lowered freight costs by 10 to 15%.



How can companies leverage the next generation of IBP technology to win in the marketplace and simultaneously optimize cost and service? 



In this episode, host Caleb Masters is joined by Darrell Edwards, the former COO of La-Z-Boy, to discuss:




Why today’s consumer expectations have increased complexity for supply chains


How next-generation IBP technology is reshaping the way supply chain delivers results


Leading teams through the adoption of new IBP technologies

Building a supply chain workforce equipped for major industry evolutions—or for the innovations emerging seemingly overnight—can be a complex challenge.

Consider generative AI, for instance. We're currently witnessing an AI boom that could potentially reshape the way employees work across various. A recent CNBC survey found that 47% of top technology —including chief information security officers and chief technology officers—state that artificial intelligence is their number one budget priority for the coming year.

Just five years ago, the results produced by generative AI were unimaginable for 2023. Yet, a recent study by Accenture reveals that only 38% of supply chain executives believe their workforce is mostly or completely prepared to adopt the technological tools already available to them. Thus, the demand for tech-savvy, innovative supply chain professionals has never been higher.

How can supply chain leaders anticipate the roles they'll need in five years and start hiring and developing talent today?

In this episode of "Masters of Digital Transformation," Peter Bolstorff, Executive Vice President at the Association for Supply Chain Management, joins the show to discuss


His career journey: from a background in math and psychology education to becoming the Executive Vice President of the Association for Supply Chain Management.


Strategies to attract, hire, and retain the top talent necessary for achieving digital transformation success in today's rapidly evolving supply chains.


The crucial role that upskilling and reskilling will play in shaping and predicting the future of work amidst emerging AI technologies.