#146 - Tony Saldanha: Why 70% of Digital Transformations Fail (and How to Succeed)

Sep 22, 2025

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What does it take to lead digital transformation at a billion-dollar scale, and how can entrepreneurs apply those same principles to grow their own businesses?

In this episode of The Necessary Entrepreneur, host Mark Perkins sits down with Tony Saldanha, former VP of IT and Global Business Services at Procter & Gamble, co-founder of Transformant, and bestselling author of Why Digital Transformations Fail and Revolutionizing Business Operations. Recognized as one of the world’s top digital transformation leaders, Tony shares hard-earned lessons from leading massive global change initiatives and helping Fortune 500 companies thrive in the age of disruption.

From why 70% of digital transformations fail, to how small and mid-sized companies can future-proof with AI and automation, Tony reveals the playbook for building businesses that last. He also dives into leadership lessons, why being “necessary” and “distinctive” are critical for long-term success, and what entrepreneurs must do to scale without losing agility.

If you want to understand how to combine strategy, technology, and culture to create a business that thrives in any environment, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom.

🔑 Takeaways from this Episode

Work-life balance doesn’t exist, it’s all life.
To be necessary in business, you must stay distinctive.
Commoditization is the risk of not adapting.
Digital transformation requires clear goals.
Transformation success comes from a portfolio of projects.
The 70-20-10 model is essential for innovation.
Transformant was born from a need for disruptive change.
Reimagining processes can unlock efficiency gains.
Global business services drive operational efficiency.
The future of work is defined by technology + agility.
Lifelong learning fuels personal and professional growth.
Risk-taking thrives in supportive environments.
True balance is about prioritization, not just time.
Staying in one lane can limit creativity and growth.
Introspection leads to better decision-making.
AI ethics will shape the future of business.
Leadership must guide tech’s impact on society.
Problem-solving is an entrepreneur’s greatest skill.
Diverse conversations drive innovation.
Knowledge-sharing creates lasting impact.

📌 Find Out More About Tony Saldanha: www.transformant.io https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-saldanha-200591123/ https://x.com/tony_saldanha Purchase Tony's Books Here

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