Time to Value podcast host Craig Lowery and guest René Büst explore how product leaders can leverage sovereign cloud solutions to navigate geopolitical uncertainties. The discussion delves into the complexities of digital sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of control over software and hardware infrastructure, and the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions. The podcast highlights the growing need for organizations to reassess their dependencies on U.S. cloud providers and explore regional alternatives to ensure data sovereignty and operational autonomy. Additionally, the episode offers practical advice for product and services leaders on risk management and enhancing technological sovereignty through diverse partnerships and open-source technologies.

René Büst is a senior director and analyst at Gartner, specializing in the cloud services market within the technology and services provider organization. With more than 20 years of experience, René’s expertise spans cloud IT services, digital sovereignty, and digital business operations. His advisory services guide technology leaders in refining their portfolio and marketing strategies to achieve optimal market positioning. Before Gartner, René was the director of technology research at Arago, focusing on intelligent automation. He also led cloud computing research at Crisp Research. René holds a master's degree in IT management and information systems and a diploma in computer engineering.

The 2025 Gartner Tech Marketing Benchmarks Survey showed web (direct/referral traffic) is the top-performing marketing channel for companies with $100 million or more in annual revenue. In fact, web-based direct or referral-based traffic moved up four ranks and overtook search engine optimization’s (SEO’s) No. 1 slot from 2024.

In this episode, we explore homepage strategies to increase the channel’s impact on revenue and growth. We also discuss how AI is impacting buyer expectations and some of the ways tech providers can use AI tools to enhance their homepages.

Jess Walker is senior principal analyst specializing in positioning and messaging best practices for B2B tech homepages. Her recent research focuses on how emerging tools (e.g., AI digital humans) and go-to-market (GTM) strategies (e.g., interactive demos) are reshaping best-in-class homepages.

Sarah Brennan is a senior principal analyst who advises B2B tech marketing clients on how to deliver higher pipeline and growth from their web and social channels investments.

Time to Value: The Gartner Marketing and Product Management Podcast host Cliff Gilley and guest analyst Chris Meering discuss the results of the 2024 Gartner Product Management Branded Survey. They explore the various titles and roles of product management, the impact of generative AI (GenAI) on the profession and how product managers can better balance internal, delivery-focused work with external customer discovery and validation.

About the Guest

Chris Meering is a vice president analyst at Gartner's Tech Product Manager team within the Technology and Service Providers research unit. Mr. Meering's research deals with product management across various technology domains, with a special focus on best practices in product planning, life cycle management and product leadership, development and introduction/launch. He is an experienced telecommunications/information technology professional with over 30 years of operational, consulting and business/product management experience.