In this discussion, Varun Bijlani, Global Managing Partner for Hybrid Cloud Services at IBM Consulting and author of 'The Great Tech Reset,' delves into how businesses can optimize AI investments. He emphasizes the urgency for IT leaders to enhance ROI by aligning AI with measurable business outcomes. Varun critiques outdated infrastructure strategies and advocates for a hybrid design approach to unlock the full potential of generative AI, sharing success stories of companies achieving up to 3.3 times their investment through intentional planning.
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insights INSIGHT
ROI Focus
ROI is a top priority due to historically low returns on digital transformations, escalating AI scaling challenges, and a rapidly evolving business landscape.
Only one in four companies realize ROI from digital transformation programs, increasing scrutiny on IT investments and connecting them to revenue growth.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Distribution Client Example
A distribution sector client wanted to leverage customer data across channels for targeted marketing.
IBM helped them address data challenges across multiple platforms and environments and change processes to ensure trustworthy AI outcomes.
insights INSIGHT
Tech Estates on Sand
Tech estates built on “sand,” lacking intentional foundations, hinder scaling AI due to tech silos and rigid governance.
Hybrid cloud and AI are symbiotic, with AI needed for hybrid cloud acceleration and vice-versa due to dispersed data and users.
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This book captures the nuances of uncertainty during an unprecedented time in Malaysia, structured into three sections to delve into the chronological development and context of each crisis. It serves as a reminder for the society that experienced these 100 days and as a reference for future generations, offering insights into how Malaysia can be better prepared for similar crises and address existing structural issues.
What’s the return on your AI investment? In today’s episode, I’m joined by Varun Bijlani, Global Managing Partner for Hybrid Cloud Services at IBM Consulting, to explore why 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for IT leaders under pressure to deliver stronger, measurable outcomes from technology investments.
While many IT projects have historically delivered modest returns, expectations are rising. With a growing number of executives focused on increasing ROI by 25 percent or more, the ability to connect AI efforts to real business value is becoming non-negotiable.
Drawing on insights from IBM Consulting’s latest book, The Great Tech Reset, Varun outlines how the shift from experimental AI projects to production-level deployment is exposing the cracks in outdated infrastructure strategies. He explains why many businesses are trapped in what he calls a hybrid by default architecture, and how that limits the potential of generative AI. Instead, he advocates for a hybrid by design approach, one that aligns cloud infrastructure with AI goals from the outset.
We discuss the organizational mindset shifts needed to move from fragmented systems to intentionally built environments that scale with innovation. Varun also shares real-world examples of companies achieving returns as high as 3.3 times their investment through more intentional planning and execution.
As IT leaders look to reset priorities for the year ahead, how can they build the kind of foundation that allows AI to thrive? And what steps can they take today to ensure their technology choices drive value, not just cost?
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