CIO Mind, The Gartner CIO Podcast

Episode highlights: How the climate economy is changing the flow of money (1:00)3 critical areas for the CIO in the climate economy (3:41)Sustainable IT (4:56)IT for sustainability (10:39)ESG data (17:52)Why CIOs cannot improve sustainability without vendors (14:52)5 key sustainability actions for CIOs (20:36)This episode of the CIO Mind Podcast follows the money in sustainability. Host ck Andrade and Kristin Moyer, Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst, explore whether CIOs are at risk of being left behind in the climate economy, where CEOs’ sustainability initiatives are transforming CIOs’ obligations. Join us as we reveal key responsibilities and actions for CIOs to support CEOs’ green investments and business models. To discover how other CIOs view sustainability, see Gartner’s Peer Community.Kristin Moyer is a Distinguished VP, Analyst in Gartner's Global Enterprise Executive Research, which is part of Gartner's CIO & Industries practice. Kristin helps CEOs, boards, sustainability leaders and digital leaders find new technology-enabled paradigms. She brings practical ideas and advice to help enterprises improve their transformation programs, create emerging business models and pursue new missions. Her enthusiasm, encouragement and research acumen help executives persuade others, execute plans and achieve impact. Kristin's research focuses on sustainability, CEOs, augmented (AI) executive, digital business, platform business and non-executive board of directors. She is invited to speak around the world as part of both client and Gartner conferences. Kristin loves the thrill of the stage. But she also runs engaging executive roundtables and workshops. Her most recent keynotes have included CEO Concerns, The AI Powered Digital Gold Rush and Embed Sustainability into IT Strategy.

Frances Karamouzis, Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst, delves into the critical role of trust in AI adoption. She discusses how AI ROI hinges on trust, measures to reinforce trust in AI systems, building trust with employees for AI embrace, and the common mistake CIOs make in AI implementation. The podcast explores the delicate balance between trust and control, workforce anxieties around AI, and the need for transparent discussions on AI automation.

Rita Sallam, Gartner Distinguished VP Analyst, and former CFO, discusses proving GenAI's value beyond immediate financial returns. Topics include projecting costs, managing budgets, measuring ROI, and convincing CFOs of GenAI's value beyond the balance sheet.

“The moral of the story is: The closer CIOs stick to the CEO, the easier it’s going to be to help guide the rest of the C-suite through technology uncertainty.” (6:26)This year, the vast majority of CEOs are shifting strategies. At the core of these changes lie digitalization and technology, which introduce unprecedented responsibilities — and opportunities — in the CIO-CEO relationship. Listen now as Gartner Senior Principal Analyst Jennifer Carter shares exclusive best practices and insights on: Addressing profit needs via productivity and technology experimentation (3:21)Generative AI and creating digital cohesion (5:53)How introverted CIOs can build strong connections with extroverted CEOs (8:33)Getting critical one-on-one time with busy CEOs (11:59)A top mistake CIOs should avoid with CEOs (21:20)Jennifer Carter is a senior principal analyst in the Executive Leadership of Digital Business (ELDB) practice. She advises executives on how to navigate C-suite dynamics — in particular building effective engagement with CEOs, creating high-performing, collaborative teams, and influencing stakeholders. Jennifer also covers changing culture through the art of culture hacking and taking a people-first approach to enterprise change communications. Furthermore, Jennifer discusses key topics regarding the future of work, such as leadership in remote and hybrid environments and implementing a human-centric work design. Prior to Gartner, Jennifer studied power dynamics within Chinese imperial courts at the University of Florida and spent years in Gartner’s Executive Programs organization. She has a passion for evaluating complex organizational and leadership challenges and uses her diverse background to inspire executives to think outside of the box.

CIOs are largely determining the organization’s future. Their technology investments can drive — or derail — critical business outcomes. However, organizations must first address a range of challenges to ensure ROI: Which AI experimentation risks are worth taking? What use cases should be prioritized? How does the organization create lasting business value? This podcast addresses each of these challenges, as well as the three key actions CIOs need to take when introducing new technology into their organization. Podcast highlights:Three major technology trends in 2024 (1:43) Four pillars for onboarding new technologies, like AI (6:31)How CIOs can mitigate risks from technology investments (10:38)The challenges of scaling AI and how to balance workforce implications (16:43)Take Three: Three actions CIOs should take when introducing new technologies into the organization (20:48)

Explore critical differences between AI and generative AI, prioritizing AI topics for CIO teams, tailoring AI education for non-technical employees and executives, tackling common challenges in AI literacy programs, and launching an AI literacy initiative in the organization. Erick Brethenoux from Gartner shares insights on AI techniques, decision intelligence, and practical AI implementation strategies.

This episode explores:What is franchised digital delivery? (01:45)What challenges does this model pose for CIOs and other CxOs? (07:25)How do you sell a franchise digital delivery model to someone who is not willing to buy it? (10:15)What are the three fundamental aspects of franchised digital delivery? (14:25)What steps should you take to start? (18:45)In this podcast episode, we delve into the evolving landscape of technology leadership and its impact on business dynamics as seen through the lens of franchised digital delivery, which is about technology management as well as business innovation and strategy. We explore the changing expectations that CEOs and other CxOs have for their CIOs, as well as the CIOs’ vision for their own leadership and the direction of their IT teams. Join us as we unravel these complex changes and provide insights into the future of technology leadership.

Explore the idea of humans working for machines and the existence of machine leaders. Discuss dangerous assumptions about AI and the need to consider implications beyond technical implementation. Shift from designing for attention to designing for intimacy in the human-machine relationship. Emphasize the importance of experts in both machines and humans. Highlight opportunities and dilemmas in the evolving human-machine relationship.

This episode explores:What is “play” in the context of work? (01:32)What are the pitfalls to avoid when designing “play” at work? (05:35)What steps can CIOs take to intentionally design “play” that drives engagement? (09:09)Can you share a success story or a case study of integrating “play at work”? What were the key takeaways? (13:12)What are the first three steps CIOs can do after this podcast to start the art of play? (16:42)CIOs continue to face serious employee well-being issues, with burnout, stress, fatigue and isolation all still on the rise in the workplace. A focus purely on finding purpose in work for most employees isn’t enough. Instead, as this session shows, CIOs can identify ways employees derive meaning from a sense of play at work.

In this episode of the CIO Mind podcast, we delve into the transformative journey of allyship, exploring how and why leaders should actively advocate for marginalized groups within workplaces and broader communities. The conversation aims to enlighten those unfamiliar with allyship and to motivate those already on this path, addressing the impactful roles individuals can play in fostering inclusivity and support. Listeners will gain insights into evolving their perspectives, embracing learning opportunities after mistakes and constructing an inclusive environment, empowering them to be advocates for change within their spheres of influence.This episode explores: Understanding allyship, beginning with the foundational language used to describe identity (01:20)Overcoming fear in order to become an ally — and the benefits of doing so (08:00)The awkward but necessary mistakes we make on our allyship journey (11:10)How Clark County’s CIO used an allyship journey map to encourage allyship (13:43)Three take-aways to be a better ally today (21:20)Tori Paulman is a Research Analyst on Gartner’s Digital Workplace team. Tori focuses on ensuring that employees have a validating, supportive and engaging experience with work.