Enterprise Thought Leadership

Tim Bond explores the substantial shift happening in graduate employment as companies increasingly prioritise "AI natives" over traditional degree holders. This episode examines how the conventional university-to-job pipeline is fracturing and what this means for students, parents, and educators navigating an uncertain future.Using insights from leading experts including Sam Altman from OpenAI, alongside research from McKinsey, the World Economic Forum, Microsoft, and LinkedIn, this episode unpacks the emergence of "AI-first hiring" and its implications for the next generation entering the workforce.Key topics covered:• Why 66% of business leaders won't hire candidates without AI skills• The "chasm challenge" - the dangerous gap between job displacement and job creation• How major consulting firms like McKinsey are reducing their graduate intake• The decline in confidence in higher education • Alternative pathways emerging beyond traditional degrees• Essential skills for succeeding in an AI-augmented workplace• Practical strategies for future-proofing your careerThe episode reveals both concerning realities and also opportunities for those who understand and adapt to these changes. From the rise of apprenticeships at companies like IBM and Microsoft to the growing importance of hybrid skills that combine AI fluency with uniquely human capabilities, this episode provides a roadmap for navigating the changing employment landscape.Timestamps:• 02:09 The emergence of AI-first hiring practices• 04:00 Data on employer preferences for AI skills• 06:00 New job categories and roles being created• 07:00 Understanding the "chasm challenge"• 09:00 Adapting to exponential change• 11:00 The education system's struggle to keep pace• 13:00 Alternative pathways to traditional education• 17:00 Essential skills for the AI-augmented workplace• 20:00 Seven-step roadmap for career future-proofing• 24:00 Final thoughts and call for perspectivesWant to learn more? Listen to the AI Daily Brief - 20 New jobs AI might create - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IubJxqwd3ZF9KSuHs8mw0Connect with Tim Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/If you like our podcast, please follow us and rate each episode. Do you have burning topics or questions you'd like us to explore on the podcast? Email our team at podcasts@techpros.ioFind out more about TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/ Upcoming events and roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/ Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/

Tim Bond tackles the widespread confusion around "AI-first" by examining what this approach actually means versus the fearful narratives dominating headlines. Using Google's NotebookLM to create an engaging dialogue, this episode unpacks Tim's recent article and extensive research to separate fact from fiction.The discussion explores how companies like Duolingo and Klarna created unnecessary panic with poorly communicated ‘AI-first’  strategies, whilst organisations like SimCorp achieved outstanding results through teamwise upskilling. Rather than mass redundancies, AI-first represents a shift in workflow sequence - engaging with AI tools at the start of any task to handle initial research, drafting, and analysis and building AI assistants and consultants to automate parts of workflows.Key topics covered:• The actual definition of AI-first as workflow sequencing, not human replacement• SimCorp's case study showing 600% productivity gains without job losses• Why AI-first functions as "cognitive ergonomics" for modern knowledge work• Research findings from Microsoft, McKinsey, PWC, and World Economic Forum• How entry-level roles are evolving rather than disappearing• The importance of upskilling and employee training programmes• Why early adopters see 122% cashflow increases whilst laggards face 23% lossesTimestamps:02:00 - What AI-first actually means 03:52 - Why workflow sequence matters 05:26 - The cognitive ergonomics analogy 07:02 - SimCorp case study results 09:09 - Economic impact and growth opportunities 11:00 - Entry-level role development 12:24 - Skills development requirements 13:32 - Competitive advantages for early adopters 15:25 - Employee satisfaction at AI-advanced companies 16:21 - Investment priorities for successful implementationWant to learn more? Visit Network Sunday website: https://networksunday.com and cogniscale.info Connect with Tim Bond on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/If you like our podcast, please do follow and rate us. Do you have an interestng AI transformation story to tell? Email podcasts@techpros.ioFind out more about TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/ Upcoming Events and Roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/ Join our budding podcast community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/

Tim Bond examines a disconnect that's currently shaping the sprouts of AI transformation through analysis of two reports that have recently been published. Signal Fire's State of Talent Report reveals entry-level hiring at major tech companies has dropped 50% from pre-pandemic levels, while Ethan Mollick's "Making AI Work" research explains why individual workers achieve three times productivity gains with AI, yet companies see minimal organisational impact.This analysis reveals the emergence of "secret cyborgs" - employees who use AI to change their work but conceal these capabilities from their employers. Meanwhile, the traditional talent pipeline that builds future workforces is showing signs of collapsing, creating what may be one of the most substantial organisational challenges of our time.With help from Anthropic and Google Tim synthesizes the reports and an AI podcast dissects why 40% of workers use AI privately while only 20% adoption rates are officially recorded, the breakdown of traditional career progression models, and the geographic shifts occurring as AI talent clusters in new locations. The episode examines Mollick's three-pillar framework - Leadership, Lab, and Crowd - for capturing productivity gains at scale.Main findings include:• How workers are tripling productivity on specific tasks while organisations capture little or no value• Why entry-level hiring has collapsed across major tech companies and startups• The experience paradox: companies demand experience but provide no pathway to gain it• Geographic talent migration driven by AI opportunities and hybrid work preferences• Strategies for converting secret cyborgs into organisational benefitsTimestamps00:00 Introduction and report overview02:08 Analysis begins: Individual versus organisational AI impact03:26 Individual productivity gains: Danish study and American survey findings04:25 The corporate disconnect: 20% official adoption versus 40% actual usage05:09 Secret cyborg phenomenon: Why workers hide AI capabilities06:20 Organisational design challenges: Systems built for human-only work07:22 Task versus job automation: The £50,000 research report example08:20 Workforce change without permission: Professional adoption rates08:58 Signal Fire data: 50% drop in entry-level hiring across tech09:36 Geographic shifts: Austin, Miami, and AI talent clustering10:19 Leadership challenges: Industrial age thinking versus AI hybrid reality11:41 Talent pipeline crisis: The broken pathway to experience13:33 Long-term compound effects of neglected talent development14:11 Anthropic's retention success: Culture and autonomy as differentiators15:24 Mollick's framework: Leadership, Lab, and Crowd orchestration16:20 Laboratory approach: Beyond research towers to practical scaling17:21 The crowd element: Rational secret cyborgs and sharing incentives18:21 Practical recommendations: Creating transparent AI environments19:38 Concrete actions: Benchmarks, provocations, and rewards20:35 The real challenge: Technology ahead of organisational structures21:29 Conclusion: Building trust and environments for shared AI developmentWant to learn more? Access your complimentary AI Acceleration Report from CogniScale - email Tim Bond at tim.bond@networksunday.comRead Signal Fire's State of Talent Report 2025: https://www.signalfire.com/blog/signalfire-state-of-talent-report-2025 Read Ethan Mollick's "Making AI Work": https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/making-ai-work-leadership-lab-and?triedRedirect=true Connect with Tim Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/If you like our podcast, please follow us. Do you have burning topics or questions you'd like us to explore on the podcast? Email our team at podcasts@techpros.io. Find out more about TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/Upcoming Events and Roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/Join our podcast community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/

Tim Bond speaks with Pierre Kremer from Globant about how modern retail architecture creates unified shopping experiences. Pierre shares his expertise on helping retail clients implement technical architectures that support their business models whilst providing excellent customer experiences.Pierre explains how the retail sector has moved beyond traditional e-commerce into unified commerce, where physical and digital shopping experiences work together. He outlines Globant's retail vision based on five key pillars: convenience, consistency, relevance, empowerment, and flexibility.The conversation covers composable architecture and how retailers are moving from monolithic systems to more adaptable, API-driven approaches that accelerate development cycles. Pierre shares real-world examples of advanced checkout experiences, including the LA Clippers' Intuit Dome arena with facial recognition entry and Uniqlo's RFID-equipped checkout system that eliminates item scanning.They also discuss the ROI challenges of certain retail AI applications, the importance of accurate inventory data between online and physical stores, and how blockchain supports better supply chain traceability and sustainability initiatives.• The progression from e-commerce to unified commerce• Composable vs monolithic architecture approaches• Advanced checkout systems like remote payment processing• AI applications in retail and which ones provide real value• How retailers can reduce technology costs and time-to-value• Future retail trends focused on sustainability and personalisationTimestamps01:41 Introduction to modern retail architecture 03:21 Pierre's background and experience 05:07 Globant's Retail Studio vision 07:23 Composable vs monolithic architecture 10:20 Real-world case studies of advanced checkout experiences 14:11 Connecting online and in-store experiences 17:50 AI applications and challenges in retail 21:34 Critical data handoffs between store and online 23:51 Essential business outcomes from modern retail architecture 25:14 Blockchain applications in retail 28:08 Future retail trends and sustainability 32:27 Advice for new technical leadersWant to learn more?Visit Globant's website: https://www.globant.com/Connect with Pierre Kremer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pierrekremerConnect with Tim Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/If you like our podcast, please do follow us and rate each episode.Do you have burning topics or questions you'd like us to explore on the podcast?Email our team at podcasts@techpros.ioFind out more about TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/Upcoming Events and Roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/Join our budding podcast community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/

Tim Bond speaks with Josh Mackenzie, Founder and Chairman of Development Beyond Learning, about how the transition from AI literacy to AI fluency is reshaping skill requirements for graduates and early career talent. Josh explains why human skills become more essential as AI tools become more prevalent in the workplace.Josh shares:The distinction between AI literacy (a technical transition) and AI fluency (a human skills question)Why self-awareness and resilience remain the biggest skills gaps for young people entering the workforceHow employers can prepare early career talent for an increasingly AI-augmented workplaceThe concept of becoming "agent bosses" who manage digital colleaguesCommon pitfalls such as the "trust trap" (over-trusting AI outputs) and the "speed trap" (prioritising speed over quality)How personalised AI-enabled learning is transforming corporate trainingTimestamps:00:00:17 Introduction and topic overview 00:02:00 Job predictions and the impact of AI on employment 00:04:43 Key skills for early talent in an AI-augmented workplace 00:07:25 The difference between AI literacy and AI fluency 00:11:50 University education value in the AI era 00:14:22 Changing graduate recruitment approaches 00:18:27 Self-awareness and resilience as critical skills gaps 00:21:47 Common AI usage traps to avoid 00:23:43 Development Beyond Learning's vision and AI innovations 00:29:04 AI-enabled personalised learning solutionsWant to learn more? Visit Development Beyond Learning website: https://www.developmentbeyondlearning.com Connect with Josh Mackenzie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-mackenzie-92795710/Connect with Tim Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/Reid Riffs - AI on education https://podcasts.apple.com/cm/podcast/reid-riffs-on-pbcs-jobs-and-automation-and-ai-access-for-kids/id1677184070?i=1000708426358&l=en-GB2025:The Year the Frontier Firm Is Born - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/2025-the-year-the-frontier-firm-is-bornIf you like our podcast, please do follow us and rate each episode. Do you have burning topics or questions you'd like us to explore on the podcast?Email our team at podcasts@techpros.ioFind out more about TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/Upcoming Events and Roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/ Join our budding podcast community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/

Tim Bond sits down with Ilana Esterrich, Chief Financial Officer of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, to explore the evolving role of finance professionals. They discuss how financial leaders are transitioning from number-crunchers to strategic partners, and why tomorrow's CFOs might be the CEOs of the future.Join the conversation as Ilana shares insights on:• Why finance professionals must develop human skills beyond technical expertise• How automation and AI can address critical time challenges• The increasingly non-linear nature of finance careers• Why understanding cross-functional operations is essential for finance leaders• The shift from CFO to CEO rather than COO• Navigating volatility in today's uncertain business environmentThis episode is brought to you by Rillion, accounts payable automation that fits your workflow. Rillion's platform helps finance teams capture every invoice, route approvals, and pay vendors in a single click, processing over 40 million invoices a year for 3,000+ organisations. Visit rillion.com to learn how effortless accounts payable can be.Timestamps:00:02:06 The changing role of finance professionals00:04:22 Why human skills matter for CFOs00:06:42 Career aspirations and challenges for finance professionals00:08:43 Navigating volatility in today's business climate00:11:27 Creating time through automation and technology00:13:39 The role of AI in finance operations00:19:40 Technology innovation opportunities in finance00:22:51 Skills needed for tomorrow's finance professionals00:25:33 The evolution from CFO to CEOWant to learn more?Connect with Ilana Esterrich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilanaesterrich/Connect with Tim Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/If you like our podcast, please do follow us and rate each episode. Do you have burning topics or questions you'd like us to explore on the podcast?Email our team at podcasts@techpros.ioFind out more about TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/Upcoming Events and Roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/Join our budding podcast community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/

Tim Bond shares insights from Microsoft's 2025 Work Trend Index annual report, which introduces the concept of the "frontier firm" - organisations structured around on-demand intelligence and powered by hybrid teams of humans and AI agents.This report, based on surveys with over 31,000 workers across 31 countries, reveals we're entering a new phase where intelligence is becoming available on tap - abundant, affordable and available on demand.Join Tim as he explores:• The three phases of workplace transformation with AI: from assistant to human-agent teams to human-led, agent-operated processes• How 82% of leaders see 2025 as a pivotal year for rethinking strategy and operations• The capacity gap between increasing business demands and limited human capacity• Why workers in "frontier firms" report 71% higher thriving rates compared to 37% globally• The emerging role of the "agent boss" who oversees AI systems rather than doing tasks directly• Real-world examples of companies already seeing concrete results from this approachTimestamps 00:26 Introduction and overview of the episode 02:16 Beginning of the deep dive into the 2025 Work Trend Index report 03:17 Intelligence on tap concept and frontier firms explained 04:18 The 82% of leaders viewing 2025 as a pivotal year 05:44 The capacity gap and workplace fragmentation 07:05 The shift from doing tasks to managing AI agents 07:34 Three phases of becoming a frontier firm 08:52 New vocabulary for the new world of work 10:35 Leaders' priorities for adapting workforce strategies 12:01 Employee sentiment in frontier firms vs traditional companies 12:48 Real-world examples of AI implementation across industries 13:40 The work chart concept vs traditional org structures 15:10 Why employees sometimes prefer AI over colleague collaboration 16:10 Skills needed to work effectively with AI as a thought partner 17:32 The agent boss mindset and its career implications 18:04 Balancing AI literacy with uniquely human skillsWant to learn more?Read the full Microsoft 2025 Work Trend Index report: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index/2025-the-year-the-frontier-firm-is-bornGet your FREE AI Opportunity report - Survey your sales and marketing team take CogniScale's 10 minute AI opportunity survey and receive a free customised report that pinpoints where they can learn to build no code, no integration AI assistants to augment their workflows and lift productivity by 300% or more. https://cogniscale.info/Connect with Tim Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/If you like our podcast, please follow us and rate each episode. Do you have burning topics or questions you'd like us to explore on the podcast? Email our team at podcasts@techpros.io.Find out more about TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/Upcoming Events and Roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/Join our podcast community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/

Tim Bond speaks with Latane Conant, Chief Revenue Officer at 6sense, about their recent product launch of intelligent workflows and how AI is reshaping sales and marketing efficiency. Latane shares insights on 6sense's evolution from an AI platform that uncovers the "dark funnel" to one that enables marketers to orchestrate ideal buyer journeys based on behavioural signals and intent data.How 6sense orchestrates ideal buyer journeys using AI and behavioural dataWhy marketing operations teams are becoming AI engineersThe concept of "locker room time" and how AI can free up sales teams to focus on actual sellingThe future of personalisation at scale without sacrificing automationCreating meaningful metrics beyond MQLs to measure marketing effectivenessHow top-down leadership is essential for driving AI adoptionTimestamps01:48 Introduction to Latane Conant and 6sense 02:11 6sense's founding story and evolution as an AI company 03:12 From the "dark funnel" to orchestrating buyer journeys 04:22 New product launch: intelligent workflows and email agents 07:17 The importance of people and process in technology adoption 09:07 Building certifications and community for product adoption 11:31 Sales and marketing measurement beyond MQLs 14:21 The role of salespeople in prospecting 17:15 How 6sense helps marketing teams demonstrate value 22:19 The concept of "locker room time" in sales and marketing 25:03 The vision for automation and personalisation with AI 27:29 How AI can minimise administrative tasks and increase productivity 31:52 The changing skills needed for sales and marketing teams 34:33 Triangulating between AI and traditional approaches 36:29 Key takeaways from the conversationWant to learn more? Visit 6sense's website: https://6sense.com/ Connect with Latane Conant on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latane-conant/Connect with Tim Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/If you like our podcast, please do follow us and rate each episode. Do you have burning topics or questions you'd like us to explore on the podcast? Email our team at podcasts@techpros.ioFind out more about TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/ Upcoming Events and Roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/ Join our budding podcast community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/

In this episode, Tim Bond speaks with Thomas Power, co-founder of Ecademy (the first-ever social business network), formed in 1998 about the parallels between the dot-com boom of the late 1990s and today's AI revolution. Drawing on his 40 years experience in the tech sector and deep knowledge of current trends, Thomas shares his perspective on how AI will transform business and society.How AI's impact compares to the internet revolution but at 100x the scaleThe technological and infrastructure challenges facing AI adoptionWhy education systems must embrace AI or face obsolescenceHis bold predictions for AI in governance and quantum computingThe future of blockchain, Bitcoin, and cryptocurrency adoptionTimestamps: 01:05 Thomas's experience launching Ecademy, the first social business network 04:31 Reviewing Thomas's past predictions and their accuracy 13:50 The "open, random, supportive" vs "closed, selective, controlling" paradigm 17:19 AI revolution and comparison to the dot-com era 28:40 Infrastructure challenges: chips, data centres, talent and energy 31:38 Model Context Protocol (MCP) and AI systems integration 37:24 The impact of AI on software and enterprise applications 46:51 Bold predictions for AI in governance and society 52:15 The future of education in an AI-powered world 1:01:00 The current state of cryptocurrency and blockchain adoption 1:25:57 The story behind BIP 100, Thomas's business mastermind groupWant to learn more? Visit the Genius Group website: https://www.geniusgroup.net/ Connect with Thomas Power on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomaspower/ Twitter: https://x.com/thomaspowerConnect with Tim Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/ Visit Cogniscale: https://cogniscale.info📚 Books• Battle of the Portals (1999) -- Thomas Power https://www.amazon.com/Battle-Portals-George-Jerjian-Thomas/dp/0953762300• Megatrends -- John Naisbitt https://www.amazon.com/Megatrends-John-Naisbitt/dp/0356102092• The Popcorn Report -- Faith Popcorn https://www.amazon.com/Popcorn-Report-Hardcover-August-1991/dp/B010EV38O4• Business Is Personal (2018) -- Penny Power https://www.amazon.com/Business-Personal-Leader-Your-Life/dp/1784521523• The Power of You -- Hannah Power https://www.amazon.com/Power-You-powerful-personal-establish/dp/1781334331• The DOSE Effect -- T.J. Power https://www.amazon.com/DOSE-Effect-Self-Healing-Mind-Body-Hormonal-Connection/dp/0063421879/🧠 Concepts • AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artificial_general_intelligence• MCP (Model Context Protocol) https://www.anthropic.com/news/model-context-protocol• Singularity (Technological Singularity) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technological_singularity• Fusion Power https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power• Quantum Computing https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_computingIf you like our podcast, please do follow us and rate each episode. Do you have burning topics or questions you'd like us to explore on the podcast? Email our team at podcasts@techpros.ioFind out more about TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/ Upcoming Events and Roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/ Join our budding podcast community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/

In this episode, Tim Bond explores the newly released AI 2027 report, which forecasts the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence and its far-reaching implications for enterprises. The report, authored by five leading AI professionals including a former OpenAI researcher, examines how AI could change from today's assistants to autonomous agents with potentially superhuman capabilities by 2027.Explore this special AI 2027 report breakdown, featuring:The evolution from AI assistants to autonomous agents in 2025-2026The workplace changes and "skills paradox" in traditionally knowledge-based rolesMarket and economic implications of advanced AI adoptionGeopolitical tensions between the US and China in the AI racePractical considerations for enterprises integrating AI into their operationsThis 24-minute audio analysis was created using Google's Notebook LM to extract the most valuable insights for business leaders from the provocative AI 2027 report.Timestamps:00:00:44 Overview of the AI 2027 report authors00:01:42 Timeline from AI assistants to autonomous agents00:04:13 Early autonomous agent limitations and adoption00:06:50 Investments in AI infrastructure00:08:48 Workforce change timeline00:10:07 The "skills paradox" in technical fields00:10:55 Advanced AI systems and human expertise00:14:00 Economic and market implications00:15:17 Silicon Valley's AI tipping point00:16:20 Acceleration of product development cycles00:18:51 Geopolitical context: US-China AI race00:20:20 Escalating tensions and business impacts00:22:53 Practical enterprise adoption of AI00:26:05 Conclusion and next stepsWant to learn more? Visit the AI 2027 report website: https://ai-2027.com/FREE AI productivity report: https://cogniscale.info/ contact us: https://cogniscale.info/contactConnect with Tim Bond: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tngbond/If you like our podcast, please do follow us and rate each episode. Do you have burning topics or questions you'd like us to explore on the podcast? Email our team at podcasts@techpros.ioFind out more about TechPros.io: https://techpros.io/Upcoming Events and Roundtables: https://techpros.io/virtual-experiences/Join our budding podcast community on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/enterprise-thought-leadership/