In this episode, Markus sits down with Michael Heric, Senior Partner at Bain & Company and leader of Bain’s global automation capabilities, to explore how enterprise automation has evolved from traditional RPA to the era of Generative AI and intelligent agents. With 25 years of industry insight, Michael shares a compelling roadmap for leveraging automation at scale, drawing from real-world client experiences and internal Bain initiatives. From the early challenges of BPR to the promises and pitfalls of AI adoption today, this episode offers a grounded, strategic perspective for enterprise leaders navigating digital transformation.

00:00 Episode Start

02:45 History of workplace automation

06:00 Finding the right tool at the right time

13:35 Change management at scale

16:15 Who ends up implementing these new toolsets?

18:20 Challenges and success stories from real organizations

21:45 Getting ROI by learning from the past

24:10 Some underrated use cases for LLMs

26:50 Putting trust in GenAI toolsets

29:20 Are organizations ready from a data perspective?

32:45 Adapting at the same rate the world is changing

40:05 Leveraging AI to create better products

44:20 Conclusion and final thoughts

• The opportunity still exists in the back office: Despite clear value potential, finance, HR, and legal remain under-automated due to data, trust, and auditability concerns. These areas are poised for transformation with the right approach.
• Success depends on sticking with it: Many organizations fail not because their data or ideas were worse, but because they gave up too early. The companies winning with AI are the ones that iterate and persevere.
• Apply innovation where you have gaps: Don’t waste generative AI on processes that already work with existing automation. Focus on "white space" opportunities—areas where older tools failed or never reached.
• Use the right tool for the job: Traditional automation (like RPA) still delivers value in structured, rule-based tasks, while AI agents excel in dynamic, ambiguous environments like customer service and sales.

"Doing business process redesign, even doing some of these large ERP implementations…the world is moving so fast, these business processes are changing. By the time you’re done with the redesign, the world’s already moved past it. So you're constantly multiple steps behind. And I think now we're finally getting to a spot where technology can be flexible enough to adapt at the same rate the world is changing."

In this episode, Markus Zirn, Michael Smith, and Earl Newsome discuss their collaborative work on the TechPACT, a collective initiative focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the tech industry. The TechPACT aims to bridge the digital divide and elevate underrepresented voices in technology. Michael and Earl share how the “plus one” mindset helps members take small, daily actions to promote inclusion, and they offer practical ways tech leaders can commit to equitable hiring and mentorship. They also address the rising backlash against DEI initiatives, offering strategies to navigate resistance while continuing to drive meaningful change. Lastly, they discuss responsible AI adoption, the power of allyship, and building a more inclusive future in tech.

00:00 Episode Start

04:50 Founding the TechPACT

08:20 The TechPACT's vision and mission

11:55 What levers are required for change

17:00 Importance of Inclusion

18:45 The TechPACT's impact

30:30 DEI in 2025: Addressing backlash and navigating forward

37:00 AI and its impact on diversity

46:00 Call to action for IT executives

• Support the mission of TechPACT: Join the movement to close the digital divide by getting involved with TechPACT. Visit techpact.org, take the pledge, and share it with your network. You can also volunteer your time, skills, or resources to help drive representation and access in tech.
• Incorporate “Plus One” into your routine: Build inclusivity into your daily habits by adding one intentional action that broadens your perspective. That could mean reading a book from a different cultural lens, connecting with someone outside your usual circle, or expanding your candidate pool during hiring. Small, consistent steps can lead to lasting change.
• Standardize diverse hiring practices: Make it a norm to interview a diverse slate of candidates before making any hiring decisions. This not only supports equity and inclusion, it also helps you access a broader, stronger talent pool by widening the lens on what great looks like.
• Tackle AI bias and prepare for the future: Audit your AI tools for bias and make sure they’re built with fairness in mind. Invest in training your team for emerging roles like “AI artists” and “prompt engineers.” Encourage collaboration between humans and AI to spark exponential innovation, not just automation.

“ To really serve your consumers, you have to have a deep, deep level of empathy. And the great, especially the innovative companies, they anticipate needs sometimes before the consumer themselves anticipates those needs, and the way you do that is by bringing diverse perspectives to the table. And those diverse perspectives can come from all types of diversity, right? Sometimes it can be the things you see on the surface, like gender or race, but it can also be industry knowledge. But bringing those diverse perspectives to the table is where it starts.” - Michael Smith

“ Diversity is being invited to the dance, right? Inclusion is being asked to dance, right? Equity is having access to the dance floor. That's all equity is giving you access to get on the dance floor. There's a ramp there for you, if you need that. But belonging is wanting to dance if no one's looking at you. And so if we can really unlock the power of belonging in our organizations and we can then earn that discretionary effort of all our employees. If people feel as though they don't belong, and we've all had that feeling, we've been in places where we feel we don't belong. You're not gonna earn any extra effort from me. You're not gonna earn the power of my diverse background. But if I feel as though if I belong and I'm dancing as if no one's looking at me, then you're gonna earn my discretionary effort, which is gonna lead to amazing, extraordinary outcomes.” - Earl Newsome

In this episode, Markus Zirn and Ramak Robinson explore the power of digital transformation through the evolution of APIs. Ramak shares how H&M built a robust integration framework with over 600 APIs and 500 events, driving the organization toward a more modern, agile IT landscape. They dive into the strategic shift toward composable and event-driven architectures, the lessons learned in fostering business-IT collaboration, and the role of modularity in streamlining operations. Ramak also offers insights into the future of IT, from AI-driven orchestration to business process automation, and how organizations can stay ahead in an ever-changing digital world.

00:00 Episode Start

02:50 Ramak's journey at H&M

05:55 Impact of APIs on integration and enterprise architecture

12:15 Role of orchestration in composable architecture

17:50 Levels of orchestration

20:00 Business and IT collaboration: A cultural shift

24:05 Navigating digital transformation and lessons learned

30:20 Do your APIs provide business value?

32:30 Choosing where and when to go composable

38:15 The future of AI and orchestration

• Keep control in decentralized environments: Shifting from a centralized to a decentralized model doesn’t mean losing governance. Establish clear guidelines and oversight to keep teams aligned on best practices like API first design. This ensures consistency, quality, and seamless integration across your ecosystem.
• Define your data models early: A strong data governance framework is key to building valuable APIs. Know how core data entities such as products, customers, and orders are structured. This clarity improves API design, boosts reusability, and simplifies integration across systems.
• Be strategic about composability: Don’t try to apply composability everywhere at once. Start where it makes the biggest impact in high change, high reuse areas. A focused approach helps prove value quickly, making it easier to scale success across the organization.
• Automate governance for seamless compliance: Instead of relying on documentation alone, build compliance into your development pipelines. Automated checks for naming conventions, data models, and best practices help teams stay on track without slowing them down.

“ I really think orchestration automation is the future if we want to have faster time to market and we want to deliver the outcome that we are set for. So also looking at the type of platforms to support us also is very super crucial. And what I'm excited about is that composability and modularity is now kind of part of our tech strategy, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how we can bring that to life.”

In this episode, Markus Zirn and Junior Brandt explore the evolving role of enterprise architecture in today’s business landscape. Junior shares how architects are adapting to new challenges, including the shift from monolithic ERP systems to composable architecture. They discuss the impact of COVID-19, the growing need for automation tools like Workato, and how AI is reshaping the enterprise architect’s mindset. Junior also addresses the challenges faced by traditional architects and how embracing new technologies can create opportunities for more agile, integrated IT landscapes.

00:00 Episode Start

03:20 The enterprise architect's mindset

08:15 Key trends shaping enterprise architecture

12:45 COVID-19's impact on enterprise architecture

18:50 Composable architecture & the evolving tech landscape

27:55 Building a unified integration platform

32:30 RPA's impact on enterprise architecture

38:00 Breaking down concerns in adopting composable architecture

46:00 GenAI in enterprise architecture

• Embrace composability for more flexibility: Break down big, rigid systems and try composable architecture where it can really make a difference. Focus on high-change, high-reuse areas to quickly prove the impact, and then expand from there.
• Integrate AI for quick wins: Start adding AI into workflows where it can make an immediate impact, like customer interactions. These small wins will build organizational confidence in AI and pave the way for broader AI integration.
• Make integration easier with unified platforms: Adpot unified integration platforms to reduce the complexity of connecting modern and legacy systems. This streamlines your architecture and ensures faster, more efficient system integration.
• Balance agility with good governance: Set up clear guidelines that let you innovate quickly, but maintain security and control. Focus on developing policies for low-code environments to keep systems secure and compliant without stifling progress.

“ I would argue in today's day and age, which company could really say that speed isn't a challenge? The ability to adapt and that agility is just fundamental for participating in an active economy today.”

In this episode, Markus Zirn and Lutz Beck explore how GenAI and data management are transforming the truck industry and boosting operational efficiency. Lutz shares his experiences from Mitsubishi Fuso to Daimler Truck, highlighting the integration of GenAI and connected technologies. They discuss the growing role of AI agents in automating business processes, improving operational efficiency, and enhancing customer service. Lutz also offers practical insights on managing legacy systems, leveraging data for innovation, and preparing for a future driven by AI and automation.

Timestamps

00:00 Episode Start

03:20 Understanding the truck Industry

06:35 Modernizing legacy systems

11:00 Integrating with legacy systems

18:45 The power of quality data

21:15 Leveraging AI for operational efficiency

27:25 Impact of AI agents

36:50 Building strong data foundations with AI agents

Episode Key Takeaways

Focus on solid data management: Get your data practices in shape with strong governance, quality checks, and clear protocols for sharing. Make sure to educate your team on data security to keep sensitive info safe.

Use AI agents to boost efficiency: Bring in AI agents to handle routine IT and customer service tasks. Set up a system where agents work together smoothly. Think AI-powered helpdesks that can manage simple questions, letting human agents focus on more complicated issues.

Update legacy systems with care: Take a close look at your old IT systems and explore how to upgrade or replace them with more modern, scalable solutions. Don’t just automate outdated processes, think about ways to simplify and enhance them.

Align IT with Business Goals: Build a strong partnership between your IT and business teams. Make sure your IT projects are aligned with what the business needs, helping streamline operations and add value for customers like using AI in HR to speed up recruitment and data entry, giving employees more time for strategic work.

Top Quote

“ Data is, for me, the key asset of a company and the data gives you the power to be intelligent as a company. You just need to learn to use it.”

In this episode, Markus Zirn and Arul Arogyanathan explore the transformative power of strategic IT leadership. Arul shares how he navigated pandemic-driven disruptions since stepping into his role in 2021, driving key initiatives like modernizing systems, fostering business-IT collaboration, and implementing composable architecture and automation. They dive into the creative ways Village Roadshow embraced automation, composable architecture, and a "do more with less" mindset to not only survive but thrive. Arul also offers practical advice on staying agile, driving innovation, and building a tech foundation ready for the future.

00:00 Episode Start

02:40 Who is Village Roadshow?

06:10 Arul's journey at Village Roadshow

11:30 Strategic IT transformation at Village Roadshow

20:50 Simplifying and standardizing technology

28:10 Rethinking IT transformation: Beyond ERP

37:30 Implementing composable architecture

41:45 Reflecting on Arul's journey: Lessons learned

• Prioritize integration, not just upgrades: Don’t just upgrade systems in silos. Focus on building a cohesive ecosystem where everything works seamlessly together. This reduces complexity, improves efficiency, and ensures your tech stack is aligned with business goals.
• Build for agility with composable architecture: Create modular systems that are easy to scale, integrate, or swap out as needed. This flexible approach keeps your organization adaptable and minimizes disruptions during changes or upgrades.
• Put your people first: Whether it’s your customers or employees, focusing on their experience is key. Map out the customer journey, identify what matters most, and implement solutions that go above and beyond. A people-first approach boosts loyalty, efficiency, and growth.
• Work smarter with automation: Automation is a game-changer for getting more done with fewer resources. By rolling out low-code/no-code platforms and making automation accessible to everyone, teams can focus on meaningful, high-impact work while reducing the time spent on repetitive tasks.

“ As a leader, we need to think strategically and focus on the ecosystem rather than the system. That's the key element.”

In this episode, Markus Zirn and Ilan Twig explore the intersection of organizational resilience, technology adoption, and innovation. They explore Navan’s journey and how they navigated significant challenges like COVID-19 while maintaining a user-centric approach. Ilan also highlights the transformative role of GenAI and shares insights on how organizations can harness these technologies to drive operational improvements and manage change effectively. Ilan wraps up by offering practical strategies for IT leaders to embrace new technologies, remain resilient in the face of adversity, and lead successful transformations.

00:00 Episode Start

03:15 Evolution of Navan and COVID's Impact

14:40 Building resilience in adversity

25:00 Adapting to GenAI and Navan's use cases

34:55 Implementing AI in business processes

43:55 Advice for IT leaders embracing AI

• Adapt and innovate in adversity: Stay flexible and quickly adjust to changes. Keep an eye on shifting user needs and be ready to pivot your strategy when necessary—like doubling down on products that are most relevant during times of crisis, such as COVID-19.
• Leverage technology despite its limitations: Don’t be discouraged by the limitations of new technologies. Embrace them by understanding their challenges and experimenting. Continuously refine how you use these technologies and find creative solutions to overcome their flaws, turning potential setbacks into opportunities for innovation.
• Maintain a user-centric focus: Keep the user front and center in everything you do. Build systems and tools that make their lives easier and solve problems in a way that’s seamless and hassle-free.
• Promote transparent communication and company culture: Be open and transparent, especially in tough times. Keep the lines of communication flowing with your team, whether through regular check-ins or all-hands meetings, so everyone feels aligned and supported.

“ Technologies, just like everything in life, they have the good things that they bring and they have limitations. You need to apply the right tool to the right problem.”