Matthew Candy

BT Group create Strategy and Change unit with a seat on the ExeCo headed on an interim bases by a McKinsey & Company Partner.... This move underscores the crucial relationship between strategy and change, essential for achieving not just meaningful, but sustainable transformation. I have long argued that relationship between strategy and change is vital when you are you trying to achieving not just meaningful transformation but sustainable transformation. A well-defined strategy alone is not enough; effective execution through robust change management processes is equally vital. By combining #Strategy & #Change, BT Group emphasises the importance of clear communication, stakeholder engagement, and organisational agility in navigating successful, complex transformations - a challenge many organisations struggle to address. Here's why aligning Strategy and Change Management is such a powerful move: 1️⃣ Integration of Vision and Execution: This alignment ensures strategic objectives are actionable and effectively executed across the group. 2️⃣ Minimising Resistance to Change: Consistent messaging fosters employee buy-in and engagement at all levels, mitigating resistance effectively. 3️⃣ Optimising Resource Allocation: Better alignment ensures investments support strategic goals and defined outcomes. 4️⃣ Enhancing Organisational Agility: Integration drives prompt responses to market dynamics, customer needs, and emerging opportunities. 5️⃣ Sustaining Transformational Efforts: Ongoing change management efforts reinforce new behaviours and align actions with strategic goals, ensuring sustainability. BT Group's move goes beyond rhetoric; it operationalises the interdependency between strategy and change management. As someone who has held a global leadership position as Chief Transformation Officer, I understand the challenges of bridging the gap between strategy and execution. This alignment addresses this challenge, reducing waste and maximises the impact of change initiatives.

20

6 Comments

🚗🍗 Recently, I saw a video showcasing Popeyes' new AI-driven drive-thru system. This innovation promises to streamline orders, reduce wait times, and enhance customer service. By leveraging AI, Popeyes is not only improving efficiency but also paving the way for more advanced, tech-savvy customer experiences. However, one surprising reaction caught my attention: there were a couple of comments making fun of the customer for saying "thank you" at the end of the interaction. This brings up an interesting societal question; could widespread AI implementation in service roles inadvertently lead to a decline in politeness? As we interact more with machines, we might forget the basic courtesies we extend to human workers. While technology can greatly enhance our convenience, it's crucial to maintain the human touch in our interactions, even if the recipient is an AI agent. https://lnkd.in/eTjCTAYv #Innovation #AI #CustomerService #Popeyes #FastFoodTech #SocietalImpact #KindnessMatters #Apexon

8

2 Comments

Imagine a world where strategy and execution converge in record time. Fueled by #GenAI technologies and IBM Consulting Advantage, IBM's Garage Experience (IGX) platform is pioneering a new era of rapid transformation paired with award winning digital experience. #ROIonAI     Kudos to Debbie Vavangas, Mohamed Elrefai, PhD and team on devising a way to bridge the gap between strategy and execution, driving innovation for optimal outcomes.

50

3 Comments

Salesforce joined Government Transformation Week in November to connect with UK public sector leaders and innovators. We discussed the importance of trust in personalising public services and how AI is driving transformation. Read the article to discover why AI is crucial for public sector modernisation, how to build trust in AI, and tips for getting started.

3

Vodafone is all-in on AI, which is where telecoms operators need to be on #AI if they plan to continue to generate economic value from their operations. Vodafone has some well-tested use cases with #AI, not least of which is their highly successful customer service #chatbot TOBi, which is now being redubbed as SuperTOBi, with the inclusion of #LLM support from Microsoft's OpenAI service. What was interesting to see is Vodafone's newest Co-Pilot use case for network engineers that helps them extract salient contractual terms from thousands of site lease agreements, such as lease expiry dates. This is an AI use-case that the South African Microsoft Digital Advisory team worked on with a public sector customer before the pandemic, helping them to prevent financial losses from expired leases and manage lease renewals. Back then the AI tech was not nearly as advanced, nor was it wrapped in a very usable format such as Microsoft Co-Pilot, but it still demonstrated the power of AI to put useful information at the fingertips of overburdened employees. What a great project to have been a part of! Ian Puttergill Kim Schulze BILLY M.

7

2 Comments

The Intel Sustainable AI Index, which I had the pleasure of discussing at the Intel Vision Sustainable CTO forum, explores AI's role in "tech positive" sustainability. The research revealed a shift in leadership - 82% of CEOs and CSOs now believe CTOs hold the most influence on sustainability strategy.  However, a lack of innovation, knowledge, and investment ("tech trilemma") creates obstacles. We continue to explore how AI can empower CTOs to overcome these challenges and lead the charge in sustainable IT. Read more on our IT Sustainability efforts in our IT Annual Performance Report. https://intel.ly/442Xoab #IAmIntel #SustainableIT #TechInnovation #EarthDay

47

Generative AI is revolutionising product portfolio management by enhancing decision-making and boosting performance. By leveraging AI’s capabilities, companies can analyse market trends, predict customer needs, and optimise product offerings more effectively. Generative AI helps organisations refine their portfolios with precision, ensuring that resources are allocated to high-impact products. This powerful tool is key to driving innovation, improving efficiency, and staying competitive in a fast-paced market. #GenerativeAI #ProductPortfolio #Innovation #AI #BusinessStrategy #Efficiency #McKinsey #ProductManagement #DecisionMaking #CompetitiveAdvantage Read more: https://lnkd.in/gpSePeXg

5

1 Comment

Great IBM Analyst day here in London, where Jason Kelley & I had the pleasure of sharing what client value generation we do with Strategic Partners – especially on #GenAI beyond PoCs. Balancing Consulting and Tech. SVP and Head of IBM Consulting Mohamad Ali set the scene and contextualised how we will move to asset based consulting and shared how we want to be a cost competitive high value consultancy. Matthew Candy framed GenAI - how we leverage being a Consultancy within a Tech company and how we work with our partners on genAI solutions for our clients . We also discussed how using genAI can drive your costs through the roof if not implemented efficiently. And with our Strategic Partners on stage, we covered detailed client stories. Spiced up with some industry differentiation from Elaine Parr. A big thank you to: Salesforce Adobe SAP Microsoft IDC Gartner Research Board PAC TechMarketView Canalys CCS Global Tech HFS Research Everest Group Omdia 451 Research Dave McCann Justin Ablett Jesper Schleimann Ulrich Homann Martin Pepper Dylan Titherley #AI #genAI #Analysts #valuegeneration

169

4 Comments

Thanks for sharing, Costi Perricos. #GenAI is truly reshaping business strategies across industries. I felt this latest iteration of Deloitte's report gives great insight to how organisations are harnessing #AI to (1) enhance operational efficiency, (2) drive innovation, (3) and stay competitive in this rapidly evolving landscape. If, like many, you need a bit of guidance in navigating the complexities of AI transformation and further understanding the future of AI in enterprise, this is a must-read. Explore the full report below.

3

Work can be so much more than a job. It can be exhilarating, exciting, groundbreaking. It can, and does, change the world. In fact, changing the world doesn't happen without work. So if work = changing the world; then WHO we work with = the time it takes to do so. Whether that be the teams you work with and for, or the clients you serve. And here's my gloat, because I am truly blessed. I get to work WITH amazing people every day from across IBM and my client WPP, I get to work FOR incredibly inspiring people who capture and lay out a vision so clearly Nicola Hodson "Never trust a company who doesn't show you their code!" AND I get to work with and SERVE a truly ground breaking client in WPP whose vision is market leading! Stephan Pretorius. Quite simply, i couldn't be prouder!!! Watch this space...more to come!!! #change #genai #techforgood #LTW24 #WPP #IBM

30

The UK government’s new proposal to allow AI firms to train models on copyrighted material under an opt-out scheme has sparked a heated debate. On one side, tech companies are pushing for clarity to accelerate innovation, while creatives are sounding alarms over the potential erosion of their rights. As someone who values the balance between technological progress and creative integrity, I find this a tricky one… Opt-out systems put the burden on creators to safeguard their work - does that feel fair? And how do we ensure innovation doesn’t come at the cost of undervaluing original art? #AI #Copyright #Innovation

4

4 Comments

Are you excited about generative AI but unsure where to start? EY and Adobe collaborated in this new research to gain insights from leading executives on steps your organisation can take to navigate generative AI challenges by enhancing transparency, empowering employees, and driving innovation with governance for better CX. Read the guide here: https://ow.ly/MyFe30sGSXa #AdobeGuide #EYGlobal #GenerativeAI #DigitalTrends

4

The latest Acquired podcast episode, "The Complete History & Strategy of Microsoft," is an amazing piece of research that explores Microsoft's rise to dominance from 1975 to 1995. This 4hour+ comprehensive analysis delves into the strategic partnerships, competitive dynamics, and pivotal decisions that shaped today's tech landscape. The episode traces Microsoft's journey from its humble beginnings in a high school computer room to securing the groundbreaking IBM deal that propelled MS-DOS to the forefront. It examines Microsoft's strategic "Wintel" alliance with Intel and its fierce rivalry with Apple's contrasting philosophies. This takes me back to the beginning of my career in the PC era. For anyone interested in the strategic decisions that influenced today's tech world, this episode provides invaluable insights into Microsoft's innovations, partnerships, and competitive battles. I can’t wait for the next one. Amazing work by Ben and Dave at Acquired. #technology

93

5 Comments

There’s an ironic twist from this finding: AI seems to boost the performance of bottom-tier workers more than top-tier ones. At first glance, this makes sense — top performers are already excelling and have higher productivity benchmarks. Yet, who will adopt AI faster? Who typically lead in adopting new technologies—our top performers—may actually gain less in productivity from these advances. AI’s leveling effect seems more transformative where it’s needed most. Have you noticed this conundrum?

7

At Columbus Consulting International we focus and provide global retailer insights! One Key Trend ALL Retailers must be focused on, regardless of Channel is Data Management! There is no more important foundational element in today's omnichannel environment!

1

London has maintained its crown as the global tech capital. Despite New York hot on the city’s tail, the latest Z/Yen Smart Centres Index has shown that London is at the forefront of resilience and innovation in the tech sector, with its world-renowned leadership in AI, digital, and computing skills keeping it ahead. I was also pleased to see that Oxford and Cambridge are continuing to be well recognised as powerful global tech hubs. It’s important that we continue to prioritise investment in the tech sector and create an environment for start-ups to flourish, to ensure we maintain our strong tech ecosystem. Standing out in the global tech scene is no mean feat, and it’s key that we look to supporting innovations such as AI to keep us ahead. See the link in the comments to read more about the ranking in City AM #TechCapital #Innovation #LondonTech

133

5 Comments

Ever wondered how AI agents could revolutionize your workday? Think about the tasks you do daily. Now, imagine AI agents taking over or enhancing those tasks. How much more productive could you be? Now, apply that thinking to entire areas of work like customer service, sales & marketing, or manufacturing operations and supply chain logistics. The impacts and opportunities are huge! In customer service, AI agents can handle repetitive tasks, allowing your team to focus on complex issues. In manufacturing, they can streamline supply chain logistics, reducing delays and increasing efficiency. Building, connecting, and orchestrating AI agents isn't easy - this is where our AI Refinery™ and Distiller Framework come in to help. These tools simplify the process, ensuring seamless integration and maximum impact. How do you see AI agents transforming your industry? Share your thoughts below!

22

1 Comment

✨ A new report commissioned by Microsoft suggests that the UK could gain over £550 billion from AI in the next decade. In the report there's an optimistic outlook for AI’s role in the UK’s future, highlighting the economic potential, current challenges, and the steps being taken by both Microsoft and the government to address these issues. 👨‍⚕️ 👩‍⚕️ Special mention in the report for Public Sector and the potential of AI for the National Health Service, not only in terms of cost savings but also in improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. #Microsoft #AI #NHS #AIUK