Alice Fournier

#Thank you Retail Cloud Alliance RETHINK Retail Fritz Finlay and expert panelists Girish Dhaneshwar, Steve Norris, PMP, Anand Narayanan, & Philip Barry. It was a pleasure to lead and moderate an absorbing webinar on #realtime #analytic #insights and #strategies in #retailing. #bigdata #technology #solution #ai #machinelearning #consumerbehavior #shoppermarketing #operations #store #categorymanageement #productmanagement #omnichannel #digital #marketing #strategy #businessmodel #supplychain #cloud #RFID #IoT #planogram #textmining #productivity #efficiency #POS #fraud #dashboard #predictive #LLM #inventorymanagement #marketplace #pricing #optimization #merchandising #heatmap #mobilemarketing #promotion #multimodal #retailmedia #proximitymarketing #personalization #BOPIS #unstructureddata #stockout #customerengagement #customersatisfaction #cx #ROI #investment #pilotproject #valueproposition #alignment #clv https://lnkd.in/g2ajUWBa

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At IBM, we’re not just simplifying operations; we’re future-proofing our entire business. Under the leadership of CEO Arvind Krishna and SVP of Transformation and Operations Joanne Wright, we’ve improved productivity by 30%, reduced complexity, and unlocked $1.5B … in less than 18 months. We’re driving transformation from within making IBM “Client Zero” by using our own AI, own assets and our own tech to demonstrate the power and possibility of enterprise transformation. Eating our own dog food. Drinking our own champagne. #ItsAGreatTimeToBeAnIBMer with our #AI #GenAI #watsonx #HybridCloud #Quantum #ProudIBMer Not just a consulting company. More than a technology company #IBM = #IBMTechnology + #IBMResearch + #IBMConsulting + The #IBMInstituteForBusinessValue

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Navigating the Future of Sales with Generative AI GenAI’s impact on sales function will be profound—transforming productivity, enhancing customer experiences, and optimizing cost efficiencies. With an estimated financial impact of $8 billion, #GenAI is a pivotal asset for strategic growth. Consider this: in many companies, the top 20% of sellers generate 80% of the revenue. What if we could extend this high performance across the entire salesforce and double the time sellers spend with customers? Generative AI can help achieve this, optimizing salesforce efficiency and boosting revenue. Adopting GenAI goes beyond just technology implementation; it involves rethinking strategies to harness its full potential for competitive advantage and significant ROI. Explore how you can boost your sales team’s productivity, streamline performance management, and make GenAI work for you in this latest paper from KPMG US. https://lnkd.in/e5puwNeA #KPMGCustomerAdvisory #FutureofSales #GenerativeAI #Salesforce

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The ultimate guide to future-proofing B2B manufacturing sales: 1️⃣ Stop feeling overwhelmed by data and start using it like a pro. 2️⃣ See how AI (especially that cool generative AI stuff) can transform your marketing. 3️⃣ Learn how to create those "wow" moments that any customer loves. 4️⃣ Get ahead of the competition with insider knowledge on the latest trends. 5️⃣ Discover how to go digital without losing that personal touch. Link to download our free report here: https://okt.to/AMDz7k

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I like this stat..."13% of CEOs have put the impetus on themselves to lead the charge on GenAI." The findings from Gartner demonstrate that AI is now playing a central role in driving business productivity. However, this is just the beginning of a much larger trend. The productivity gains highlighted in this survey primarily stem from tapping publicly available sources like ChatGPT. The real boost in business productivity will come when organizations are able to securely tap into their own authoritative data sources to create a single source of truth, which can then be leveraged to better serve clients and drive more business. Some examples of valuable uses include quickly providing colleagues and clients with up-to-date, authoritative answers to questions, and generating vetted, approved responses to bids and RFPs. To understand how this works, check out this ebook: https://lnkd.in/edSSyuej #artificialintelligence #business #productivity

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📢 We are ONE HOUR away from our Boston CIO Town Hall focusing on "Generative AI Use Cases"! 📢 Join this one-hour virtual town hall to discuss: 🔷Capturing and communicating Generative AI use case ROI 🔷Measuring quality and overcoming challenges 🔷Making decisions based on risk and cost We already have 65+ Technology Leaders registered for this insightful discussion from a wide variety of industries. This will be a conversation you won't want to miss! If you are interested in joining - please send me a quick email at [email protected], and I will help get you in the room. #BostonCIO #TechnologyLeaders #AI #Innovation #generativeAI

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Again, another view on Digital Transformation Success. Aligned with my previous post from Gartner, IDC also identifiying a call for attention on how to measure success Digital Transformation. #DigitalTransformation

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"IT as a standalone function is dead. The rapid ascent of generative AI delivered the death knell. Technology is the business." Wow! From the first sentence (above), the latest C-Suite report from the IBM Institute for Business Value is a must-read for anyone working at the intersection of business and technology -- an ever-increasing #VennDiagram. The report centers on six blind spots that enterprise leaders must overcome 1. We treat tech as an enabler but ... Tech must be the core of everything we do. 2. We say we are working together but ... Our collaboration is only skin-deep. 3. We hope it will be a magic wand but ... Generative AI could break our organization. 4. We want it to be trustworthy but ... Our AI may be irresponsible. 5. We talk about data as currency but ... Our data could be a liability. 6. We think our team is strong but ... We’re still fighting yesterday’s talent battle. "In the AI era, the stakes are high and the influence of tech leaders is even higher. AI is transforming the very fabric of business—from reimagining the way people work, to how leaders weigh options and place bets, to reinventing customer experiences and relationships. But to get there, tech executives must lead their organizations past the blind spots hindering their AI transformation." The only thing I would change is that it's all executives. After all, "technology is the business."

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The More You Automate, the More You Need to Humanize! Technology is often seen as the ultimate sales multiplier, but what if its true power lies not in replacement, but in augmentation? Perhaps the more we automate, the more we need to lean into the one thing that technology can't replicate: the human touch. 🤔 Reflect on this: 1️⃣ Where are you relying too heavily on tech to close deals? 2️⃣ How can you use automation to free up time for high-touch, high-value interactions? 3️⃣ What's the most human thing you can do today to build a connection with a customer? 💡 Tips for sales & marketing leaders: 👉 Use tech to augment, not replace, human connection: Leverage technology to enhance and support personal interactions, freeing humans to focus on high-value relationships and emotional intelligence. 👉 Focus on empathy and understanding, not just efficiency: Prioritize building genuine connections by actively listening, asking insightful questions, and showing compassion to create a deeper sense of trust and rapport. 👉 Make the most of moments that require a human touch: Capitalize on opportunities that demand emotional intelligence, creativity, and complex decision-making, using human skills to add value and build meaningful relationships. Don't let the pursuit of efficiency erase the power of human connection. #abm #marketingstrategy #saas #thoughtleadership #thethoughtleaderway

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Day 25 of the CIO Series: Leading Under Pressure with Technology-Driven Resilience As a CIO, if pressure and complexity make you crumble, the role may not be for you. Navigating technology in a constantly evolving landscape isn’t for the faint-hearted—it’s for leaders who can tackle challenges, own their decisions, and learn from each misstep. In tech leadership, adaptability is key. Every challenge is an opportunity to recalibrate, whether optimizing ERP systems for operational excellence, deploying IoT for smarter logistics, or harnessing data analytics for predictive insights. But none of these transformations happen overnight. Success in IT requires relentless persistence and an unwavering focus on the long game. Just as water breaks down rock through consistency, effective CIOs drive transformation through sustained effort. No matter how advanced the tech, the power of persistence and resilience defines true progress. Never give up. Our tech infrastructure and teams depend on consistent, determined effort to stay agile, robust, and ahead of the curve.

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📢 According to The National CIO Review®, CIOs are strategically reallocating 2025 IT budgets to align with emerging technologies and organizational priorities. Key investment areas include: ⦿ Artificial Intelligence (AI):  Leading the agenda, 22% of CIO's are increasing investments to drive automation and data-driven decision-making with AI. ⦿ Sustainability: Reflecting a commitment to environmental responsibility, nearly 20% of IT leaders are prioritizing sustainable investments such as energy-efficient data centers.   ⦿ Digital Transformation: 16% of CIOs continue to modernize business processes and systems to boost efficiency and enhance customer engagement.   ⦿ Cybersecurity: Given the increasing threat landscape, a significant portion of budgets is allocated to strengthening security measures to protect organizational assets and data. IT leaders are balancing innovation, resilience, and sustainability to fuel growth in the year ahead.  Where are your priorities shifting? 🚀 #2025 #ai #sustainability #data #digitaltransformation #ITbudget https://lnkd.in/gjx9XGQn

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Traditionally, transformation efforts are organized as programs with a defined beginning and end https://lnkd.in/eSU7z2MF But the continuous evolution of the external landscape demands ongoing business transformation, with no room for pausing, refreezing, and stepping away. Here are three key strategies needed to support continuous transformation #leadership Harvard Business Review

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#PendlerPod Responsible innovation Shaping responsible innovation requires sustainable technology that builds trust. Listen to this episode of #CIOMind with Gene Alvarez on key trends in tech: - Hybrid Computing: Enhances customer satisfaction through multiple platforms for speed and efficiency, supported by compatible systems. - Disinformation Security: Prevents financial losses from impersonation and fraud, necessitating a strong security framework. - Neurological Enhancement: Advances may enable brain-computer interactions, improving quality of life for conditions like Parkinson's disease with calming signals. #strategy

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GenAI us a bit of a buzzword nowadays. Oftentimes, this implies the narrative for which it is one tool solving it all. In reality, GenAI is specialized AI for content generation, in particular in conversational interactions. For other fields of prescriptive analytics and, in general, recommendations there are other AI models that perform fairly better than the LLMs (Large Language Models). Gartner’s infographics is pretty clear on the topic at hand. Worth having a look 👇🏻

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Unlock corporate growth with #AI by asking the right questions. Cut through the noise and build a successful AI strategy with these 5 key questions. https://okt.to/5CsNZi #AIStrategy #Innovation #BusinessGrowth #YourGuideForward

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Organizations can build a competitive moat around their Promise to the Customer (PTTC) by mindfully connecting their Playing To Win strategic choices to it. Podcast links below. Clip Featuring Roger Martin The World’s Authority on Strategy Named #1 Management Thinker by Thinkers50 Trusted strategy advisor to CEOs of the biggest companies on the planet like P&G, Lego, Ford Author of 13 books & 34 HBR articles including Playing to Win: How Strategy Really works https://rogerlmartin.com/ Weekly post on his Medium blog https://lnkd.in/gz9quC7z Full Podcast Also Features Mimi Turner Head of Marketplace Innovation with LinkedIn LMS Fellow The B2B Institute Jann Martin Schwarz Martin Schwartz Founder of The B2B Institute, Sr. Director Marketplace Innovation LinkedIn Full Episode: ✅ Apple: https://lnkd.in/g8qXRWT7 ✅ Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gsvnwQ7T ✅ YouTube: https://lnkd.in/gKRGUNJm ✅ Post Pod: https://lnkd.in/g6nnmnWB Timestamps: 0:57 - Introduction to Mimi, Jann & Roger 3:05 - How LinkedIn is shaping the understanding of B2B marketing 5:00 - Defining & examples of a promise to the customer (PTTC) 8:40 - Linking PTTC to strategy 10:53 - Why PTTC matters 14:40 - PTTC isn’t just for big brands 18:47 - The link between PTTC and a winning aspiration in business strategy 20:39 - Why PTTC can help brands differentiate 24:08 - PTTC examples with Sage ERP B2B SaaS 26:20 - how PTTC can improve ad creative 27:55 - Why PTTC works 32:50 - PTTC is more than an ad campaign 35:14 - Aligning sales & marketing to simplify the buyer’s experience 38:43 - PTTC impact on ABM & targeting 41:52 - Customer promises make the customer-company relationship tangible 44:20 - Business isn’t personal? 46:20 - The real job of B2B marketers 50:17 - How you know when you’ve got a brand 51:40 - The importance of knowing a brands before buying 54:58 - Brands are like blame insurance in decision making 57:20 - Roger: the most striking finding from this research 1:00:45 - Jann: the most striking finding from this research 1:03:55 - Mimi: the most striking finding from this research 1:05:41 - how P&G used PTTC to evaluate campaigns 1:10:08 - Post-pod with Vassilis, Marc & Mimi Other References: Making A Promise to the B2B Customer https://lnkd.in/gSSuwK4P Link to All of LinkedIn's Great Publications https://lnkd.in/gBPKSA2r

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⭐  Sales Transformation Failures Many companies overhaul their commercial strategies or reorganize their salesforce, only to see little impact. Why? Because success isn’t just about strategy—it’s about execution on the front line. You need the right talent, behaviors, and rewards to drive real change. In the past 5-10 years, data-driven decision-making has become critical. While many professionals have upgraded their skills to remain competitive, sales teams in the CPG space face a different challenge. Most sales teams have risen through the ranks, excelling at building relationships and driving sales in the field. These teams are talented, focused, and energetic. 📊 However, they often lack the time or data skills to deep-dive into spreadsheets or conduct complex analyses. 🌟 Challenges Most are non-MBAs. They don’t need advanced technical knowledge, but a basic understanding of data is necessary to improve their approach. For example, knowing which stores to visit, which promotions to push, and how to adjust their strategies for maximum impact is crucial. 🧩 From our experience in sales transformation projects, the skill-building aspect is often neglected. Conventional approaches to skill development tend to fail because they don't directly address the specific challenges sales teams face in the field. Here’s what has worked for us: 💡 C.L.I.C.K.S – A Practical, Targeted Approach: C: Community & Context-Driven Learning Build a strong learning culture where teams share best practices, improving through peer support and collective learning. Content must be tailored to their daily challenges, like journey planning or promotion ROI. We build a repository of data-related questions directly linked to their work. L: Lean, Mobile-First UX Insights should be quick, accessible, and designed for mobile use. Sales teams need on-the-go access without relying on laptops, which they often lack the time and space to use. I: Insights from Analytics Equip your salesforce with clear, actionable insights provided by a dedicated analytics team so they can focus on what works. Many modern trade teams lack this support, leaving the burden of data collation, shaping, and presenting dashboards to the sales team—a task they don’t have the bandwidth for. C: Continuous, Bite-Sized Learning Provide ongoing, bite-sized learning modules that fit into their busy schedules, allowing them to apply new skills directly in the field without overwhelming them. K: Key Actions Identify the critical actions that make a difference, helping sales teams prioritize and focus on the most impactful tasks. S: Self-Usage Empower sales teams to use data and insights independently, making them self-sufficient in understanding and improving their performance. This boosts adoption and builds their data muscle. #Retail #FMCG #Moderntrade #Salestransformation

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Get early access to the 2025 IBM IBV Consumer Study Report! Set to launch at #NRF2025, this new IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) explores how organizations can harness AI to drive decisions, innovation, and strategies across customer experiences, product design, supply chains, and store operations. 📥 Pre-register now to receive early access to insights on: ·      Key findings on criteria for scaling AI to deliver value ·      Preparation needed to empower your workforce on the AI journey ·      Imperatives in safeguarding brand trust   Additionally, visit IBM at booth #4639 during #NRF2025 to explore enterprise-grade AI and hybrid cloud technology solutions. More details coming soon #AI #IBM #IBVStudy #RetailInnovation #NRF2025

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