Show cover of ISG Imagine Your Future Podcast

ISG Imagine Your Future Podcast

The ISG Smartalks Podcast delivers technology and sourcing insights from the thought leaders at ISG. In this series we bring together external and internal experts to discuss the ways in which technology is transforming the world of business. Our aim is to simplify the themes and educate and inspire our listeners. ISG is a leading global technology research and advisory firm that is committed to helping organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth.

Tracks

Join Steve Hall and Stanton Jones, an ISG Distinguished Analyst, for the last episode of Imagine Your Future for 2023, as they unpack key trends shaping the managed services market. As demand for outsourcing went from strength to strength in 2023, discretionary spending experienced downward pressure. Hall and Jones explore what was driving these phenomena and what can be expected for 2024 based on the latest data from the ISG Index.  They also discuss the rise of global capability centers and the challenges of finding talent in a supply-constrained environment. As we head into 2024, don’t miss their insights and predictions on the impact of generative AI on the industry, the integration of generative AI into enterprise applications and the impact this will have on IT budgets.

12/21/23 • 32:44

According to recent data from the ISG Index™, the robust expansion of the cloud services market has slowed down considerably in recent quarters. On the other hand, demand for managed services has reached new highs. It seems that enterprises are returning to the basics of core outsourcing. How can businesses drive operational excellence in this new context? And which factors are contributing to the shift? In this episode of the ISG Imagine Your Future podcast, we delve into the current state of the technology market. Steve Hall speaks to tech titan Jagdish Mitra, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Growth at Tech Mahindra to hear his insights. After touching on the enterprise shift back to basics, their discussion turns to the growth of engineering services outsourcing, the opportunities presented by digital outsourcing and ever-more critical role of data intelligence, especially in light of growing AI adoption pressures. Finally, Steve and Jagdish share book recommendations for fellow bookworms – don’t miss these timely reads!    

12/8/23 • 35:39

Artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI are swiftly permeating our daily lives. From customer service chatbots to healthcare diagnoses, from writing loan applications to job hiring, the disruption is here. Many believe AI is fundamentally changing the way we do things. But since this premise of large-impact change is widely accepted, the question becomes: will this change be for the better? It's critical to address the ethics of AI: how this technology disruption could reinforce or subvert current inequalities to improve or worsen them, or even create new inequities. To do so, we must understand how and where AI is most likely to exacerbate or cause inequities. With these vulnerabilities in mind, leaders must thoughtfully consider how to proactively prevent inequity in AI adoption globally. In this episode of Imagine Your Future, we examine ethical challenges posed by AI and discuss the need for responsible development to mitigate the potentially damaging effects. Hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer speak to Dr. Neelam Raina, Associate Professor International Development and Design at Middlesex University, for her perspective. Tune in to hear them share the potential impacts of disruptive technologies and key ethical considerations surrounding data usage.

10/19/23 • 32:47

Cybercrime has become an ever-present threat that can wreak havoc on individuals, businesses and governments. From phishing scams and ransomware attacks to data breaches and infrastructure damage, the arsenal of cyber threats continues to expand. It is crucial, now more than ever, to be equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the digital landscape securely. To discuss the ever-evolving threat of cyber-attacks, Doug Glair, a Director in ISG’s cybersecurity practice, joins Imagine Your Future hosts, Steve Hall and Karen Collyer. They delve into the growing sophistication of cybercrime, the importance of educating employees, and how AI can be a double-edged sword: both enhancing cyber capabilities and helping adversaries to improve their tactics. New challenges have been posed by remote work, and more will be posed by quantum computing. Organizations need to have a comprehensive resiliency plan in place to mitigate the impact of ransomware attacks. Resiliency requires proactive planning, board-level involvement and a holistic approach to cybersecurity. Tune in for our tips on how to safeguard your organization and personal data!

7/6/23 • 33:53

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has made astounding progress in its capacity to recognize patterns, make predictions and even engage in meaningful conversation with humans. But what about its ability to create new and original content? This is where generative AI comes into play, representing perhaps the most widely discussed technological advancement of our era, particularly in the wake of the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022.  In this episode, Imagine Your Future host Steve Hall is joined by Prashant Kelker, Chief Strategy Officer and Partner at ISG, to explore some of the opportunities, challenges and questions that are associated with this rapidly advancing technology. Listen in to their conversation to hear them separate hype from executable vision for trending topics in the AI space. How should enterprises and industries be thinking about AGI (artificial general intelligence)?  Which new skill sets might be in-demand in the future to better collaborate with AI? And how will regulations shape the future of generative AI? Also, for the readers out there: don’t miss Steve and Prashant’s book recommendations to deepen your knowledge on all things AI.

4/26/23 • 37:05

After chairing two successive Future Workplace Summits in New York and London, ISG’s Iain Fisher joins Imagine Your Future podcast hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer to discuss the ever-changing landscape of work. With technology advancing at an unprecedented pace and the COVID-19 pandemic (among other geopolitical factors) reshaping our work and home lives, the future of work and the workplace of the future promise to be vastly different than what we have previously known. You may be asking yourself: what’s the difference between the future of work and workplace of the future? The short answer has to do with the relevance of your physical location to your ability to do your job. When is work a “place” versus something we do anywhere, anytime with enabling technologies? For the more nuanced answer, listen in to this episode. Whether you’re a business leader, a curious employee or simply interested in how work is changing, we invite you to tune in to find out how companies and individuals can best adapt to and plan for new ways of working.

4/7/23 • 30:56

Following another turbulent week for the banking industry, Imagine Your Future podcast host Karen Collyer speaks to Owen Wheatley, Lead Partner for Banking & Financial Services at ISG. Together they unpack some of the factors that contributed to the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank and the ripple effects in the market. Will there be others like it? And might we be on the verge of another global financial crisis on the same scale as the 2008 crash? Or are there any encouraging signs following the latest failures in the industry? Listen in as they answer these questions and look to the future.

3/23/23 • 18:51

This episode of the ISG Imagine Your Future podcast was recorded at this year’s ISG Digital Business Summit in London. Host Steve Hall speaks to Samantha Fanning, Head of Digital at UCL (University College London) about how she and her team are creating seamless digital experiences for both the students and staff of the university. Listen in to hear some of her top tips and lessons learned from the journey so far.

9/20/22 • 11:54

Disruptions are shaping and shaking up the CPG and Retail industries. Global supply chain challenges, rising inflation and competition for talent (caused in part by the Great Resignation) are the most well-known factors – but not the only ones. Still, no matter what, customers must remain the number one priority for these organizations. How can CPG and Retail companies thrive despite these pressures – and retain loyal customers – in a highly disrupted and competitive market? Which technologies are transforming the industry? To discuss this ongoing disruption, our ISG Imagine Your Future podcast hosts, Steve Hall and Karen Collyer, are joined by Sunder Pillai, ISG Director and Retail, CPG and Enterprise Practice Leader. Listen in to learn how to create a memorable and flawless customer experience – and why this is now more important than ever. Plus, find out how CPG companies are tackling spiraling costs and the environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues impacting their supply chain decisions. For more information and insights from ISG’s CPG practice click here  

7/8/22 • 25:00

The metaverse – it’s been in the headlines, social media platforms and your kids’ video games, and now it’s rising to prominence as a business opportunity. But do you really know what the metaverse is? And what does it have to do with web3, the new internet you keep hearing about?  In this episode of the ISG Imagine Your Future podcast, hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer catch you up with the basics of the metaverse and web3. They kick off their discussion by defining both technologies and exploring the current status quo. Then, together we get into the really interesting bits: the implications for the digital economy, security concerns and how businesses might leverage this tech. Listen in to hear what the future might look like as metaverse develops – and what smart moves you can make today in this space to reap “early adoption” advantages.     

6/20/22 • 25:26

Are you keeping your eye on trends in the manufacturing space? It’s been a turbulent time lately; manufacturers are contending with rising costs, a global chip shortage and a global talent shortage. More than ever, the future seems unpredictable. What impact is this scale of disruption having on the industry? How are manufacturers dealing with these challenges? In this episode of the Imagine Your Future podcast, hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer delve into the disruption facing the manufacturing industry with guest John Lytle, a director with the ISG Manufacturing practice. Listen in to hear their discussion of the trends emerging amidst the current instability – plus discover some insights into how manufacturers are adapting and transforming to remain agile. For more information and insights from ISG’s manufacturing practice, click here.

6/13/22 • 26:33

Back by popular demand! Last year, Imagine Your Future hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer interviewed Elizabeth (EC) Caley, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Poppy. As a fast-growing tech start-up specializing in detecting and monitoring pathogens – including the COVID-19 virus – present in the environment, Poppy has expanded rapidly. This time, EC returns to the podcast to share the inspiring story of how she and her associates successfully grew the company over the past 12 months, despite challenges arising from the pandemic and ongoing supply-chain disruptions.   Listen in to find out more about how Poppy is helping organizations create infection-resistant indoor spaces and to ensure that investments made in indoor safety are effective. EC and our hosts also make time to talk about the impacts of Web3.0 and the Metaverse, how to make time for mentoring and what you can do to prevent mental fatigue.

5/27/22 • 26:32

The Insurance industry has been grappling with multiple challenges – from legacy IT systems to emerging competition, margin pressures, a tightening regulatory environment and the rise of millennial buyers. The pandemic only heightened the pace of change. In this context, it’s difficult to know if you are focused on the right issues. How can insurers ensure survival in the coming years? In 2021, ISG interviewed more than 200 insurance and technology executives across Europe to get their perspectives on the current context and on what insurers need to succeed. To discuss the findings and the wider trends facing the Insurance industry in 2022, ISG’s Johanna Von Geyr joins Imagine Your Future hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer. Useful links Download ISG’s Pulse Check – State of the European Insurance Industry 2021 here Find out more about ISG’s Insurance Practice Insurance | Technology IT Research & Benchmarking | ISG (isg-one.com)

4/26/22 • 14:31

2021 was a record year for private equity investment. New annual records were set in terms of deal volume and value. According to data from the Pitchbook 2021 Annual US PE Breakdown, in the U.S. market alone, more than 8,600 deals were concluded in 2021 for a total deal value of over $1 trillion. What drove these unprecedented activity levels? And what is the outlook for the Private Equity industry in 2022?  These are just some of the questions that ISG Imagine Your Future hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer discuss with Chris Reeves a director in ISG's Private Equity practice. Useful links Learn more about ISG’s private equity practice Private Equity | ISG (isg-one.com)

3/31/22 • 18:42

In this episode, ISG hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer talk to Gaurav Gupta about some of the mega trends driving the engineering services industry in 2022 and beyond. Gupta describes how engineering services has been going through some major transformations of late. In recent times, the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital engineering as companies strove to bridge the gap between information technology and operational technology. “It’s not about building products anymore,” believes Gupta. “It's more about connecting and building an ecosystem of platforms, insights, data, and the capabilities to stay connected with your product beyond the point of sale.” Tune in to hear more about how digital engineering has gone beyond the engineering department to enable new business models, deliver superior customer experiences and realize operational efficiencies.

3/8/22 • 28:34

In this episode, ISG hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer talk to Sandeep Kalra, CEO of Persistent Systems. Together they discuss some of the post-pandemic economic trends impacting businesses: the Great Resignation, talent acquisition and retention, environmental sustainability and more. Kalra also shares his perspectives on how Persistent Systems remained resilient through the pandemic, achieving impressive growth over the past year. Listen in as he shares his experience of leading during the pandemic and the lessons he learned from the crisis.    

12/17/21 • 24:33

As businesses continue to navigate global uncertainty and new ways of working, one thing is certain. Flexible working is here to stay. It has become clear in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic that many employees want to continue working remotely for at least part of the week. Others will prefer to return to the workplace. Undoubtedly, a one-size-fits all approach to work is no longer viable. Companies must adapt to new and varied employee expectations. Many organizations are adopting a hybrid workplace model that offers more choice and flexibility to their workforce. What are the keys to making the hybrid workplace a success? And what are the benefits for employees and employers? Our guest on this episode of the ISG Imagine Your Future podcast believes that companies must prioritize providing an exceptional user experience for their employees. Listen in as Leon Gilbert, Senior Vice President Digital Workplace Services at Unisys, talks to ISG hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer about his experience of the digital workplace and what he expects from the future of work. Gilbert explains why he believes organizations that embrace the hybrid workplace will have the most success in the future.

9/13/21 • 44:02

As the race to digitize business gathers speed, we have witnessed in recent years a surge of M&A deals in the digital engineering sector. One such deal announced earlier this year was Hitachi’s $9.6 billion acquisition of U.S.-based digital engineering services company GlobalLogic. The scope of this deal demonstrates that software engineering capability has become a strategic priority for manufacturers.  Join ISG Imagine Your Future® Podcast hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer as they talk to Tim Langley-Hawthorne CIO of Hitachi Vantara, the digital infrastructure, data management, and digital solutions subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd.  The three discuss the challenges of leading a multinational organization that seeks growth through acquisitions and how to use the lessons learned from 2020 to help define the future of work. Langley-Hawthorne, who took on his role of CIO in early 2020, also faced two other major challenges: a new senior leadership team at Hitachi Vantara and a merger with sister company Hitachi consulting. Listen in to hear how this “people focused” leader successfully navigated these significant shifts.

8/24/21 • 35:45

As we move into a post-pandemic world and toward the workplace of the future, health and safety is top of mind more than ever. The pandemic has heightened everyone’s awareness of the safety of our immediate environments. As workers begin to return to office buildings, whether full-time or in a hybrid working model, it is essential that businesses take strong measures to ensure their employees feel safe and confident in their workspaces. Things that were perhaps taken for granted or overlooked prior to the pandemic, such as indoor air quality, are now on people’s minds as we navigate into the “new normal.” One startup providing some ground-breaking technology in this field is Poppy. Founded in 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life as we knew it, Poppy is on a mission to make the workplace safe again by detecting and monitoring pathogens present in the environment. Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Caley join ISG Imagine Your Future® Podcast hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer to share her story. Listen in to hear more from this inspirational tech leader about how science and technology are coming together to make workplaces safer in the future.

7/12/21 • 31:48

In this episode of the ISG Imagine Your Future® Podcast, host Steve Hall is joined by two veterans of the ISG Index™: Stanton Jones, Director and Principal Analyst at ISG Research, and Bret Breeding, Director and one of the original ISG Index™ creators. The latest ISG Index™ shows that the global technology and business services market has grown for the third straight quarter after the pandemic-induced dip in the second quarter of 2020. Global demand for such services has never been higher, with the first quarter of 2021 producing a record $17.1 billion of annual contract value (ACV) for the global combined market, up 11 percent. The ISG Index™ has been assessing and analyzing the state of the global IT services market for almost 19 years, over 74 consecutive quarters. The Index is considered the authoritative source for marketplace intelligence related to outsourcing transaction structures and terms, industry adoption, geographic prevalence, and service provider performance. It covers both the traditional managed services sourcing market, as well as the fast-growing as-a-service market, measuring the significant impact cloud-based services are having on digital business transformation. Listen in to find out more about how disruptive technologies are transforming IT and business services markets. And if you would like to get a fuller picture of current market dynamics, view the 1Q21 Global ISG Index presentation slides, news release and infographics, please visit the ISG website www.isg-one.com

5/3/21 • 41:15

In this episode, co-hosts Steve Hall and Karen Collyer tee up the remainder of this year’s Imagine Your Future podcast – an impressive lineup of thought-provoking conversations with heavyweight industry authors and leaders from across the world of digital. Get to know Steve and Karen as the voices behind the podcast, what excites them about the future of digital technology and how they bring their passions to bear in their work. Join them as they explore a wide range of subjects – from the latest thinking on diversity, equity and inclusion, to their own eclectic influences – with a few tips on how to manage the demands of a constantly changing world of work thrown in for good measure.

3/11/21 • 27:08

Months before the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world, CEO of Mphasis Nitin Rakesh began work on a book with co-author Jerry Wind that would become more relevant than even he believed. What was originally conceived as a book to help technology companies understand and counteract the disruption being caused by the proliferation of digital startups quickly gained new significance within the context of the global pandemic. Their book Transformation in Times of Crisis is based on the premise that adversity provides fertile ground for growth. It guides the reader through eight principles that will help them customize and implement a winning business strategy. Rakesh joins Steve Hall and Karen Collyer in this podcast episode to talk about his business background and how he came to write the book. Together they discuss all eight principles and debate if and how they can be prioritized. Listen in to hear the conversation and gain insight into how organizations can seize the opportunity to prepare themselves for the new future.

2/25/21 • 38:33

When Dr David Howie started his new role as Chief Commercial Officer at NHSX in February this year he didn’t expect it to be entirely dominated by COVID – then, a word only just entering our vocabulary. Yet the rest is history, as they say.  NHSX is the technology enablement arm of the England’s National Health Service (NHS), which is driving the digital transformation of health and social care.  NHSX is leading the largest digital health and social care transformation program in the world, with a national annual investment of over £1bn as well as significant local spend. Ten months on from that pivotal first day in the NHSX office, Dr Howie joins host, Steve Hall, on the Imagine Your Future podcast. Together they discuss the evolution of the UK’s COVID Track and Trace app as well as the role that NHSX will play in the future in helping improve support for vulnerable and isolated groups, such as those living in care settings. The use of digital technologies to improve patient and clinician experience has made huge advances in the NHS as a result of the pandemic.  It marks an accelerated digital transformation in the NHS that Dr Howie believes would never have happened so rapidly without the need to respond to the pandemic. Listen in to our first Imagine your Future podcast episode of 2021 as Dr Howie describes his Digital career journey, first with the UK Home Office where he led the digital overhaul of the passport renewal process, followed by development of the app to support the settlement of EU citizens living in the UK in the run up to Brexit.  Clearly no stranger to handling complexity in high-stress situations Dr Howie’s insights into digital transformation, gained from his recent UK public sector career, makes fascinating listening.  

1/14/21 • 28:37

The ISG Imagine Your Future podcast is back after a short break with a new host, Steve Hall. In Steve’s first episode in the driver’s seat he welcomes back former IYF podcast host and colleague Barry Matthews to discuss the subject of open talent and the gig economy. Talent platforms, which allow enterprises to tap into global or distributed talent pools to resource, deliver or ideate solutions, are set to become one of the next big disruptors for business over the coming years. Companies are increasingly accessing skills such as graphic design, automation expertise and software development, to name but a few, through these global talent pools via secure digital platforms. Because of such platforms, the geographical location or even educational background of talent is less relevant than their experience, availability and enthusiasm to work. Contracts tend to be short term and results oriented and suit the increasing number of people operating as freelancers in the gig economy. For these workers, flexibility is the watch word that allows them to work when and where they like. Listen in as Hall and Matthews discuss how the global pandemic has fast-forwarded the development and uptake of these talent platforms and brought them into the mainstream. Matthews predicts that they will play a significant role in the global shift toward freelance work, which, he says, suits the millennial mindset. As a generation of young people very comfortable with the concept of “on demand,” millennials are willing to take responsibility for their personal and professional development, facilitated by talent platforms, on a scale not seen in previous generations. Join this fascinating discussion on how these open technology platforms are shaking up the structure and modus operandi of businesses, helping them leverage the very best talent across the globe.

11/3/20 • 28:35

Over the past six months, we’ve seen a dramatic shift in the way people work. For some, this may be temporary, but for others it marks the start of a new working era – one enabled by technology and innovation and driven by the need to approach work differently. Things that people might have previously considered impossible or impractical have become the norm – video calls, virtual events, collaboration platforms and freelance working are here to stay and are driving how we work and do business like never before. The daily commute and physical presence at the office may not quite be things of the past, but they are no longer the accepted norm. The shift to working from home has allowed workers to reassess work-life balance and presented them with new challenges around how to accommodate their work and personal lives in the same space. This month, host Barry Matthews talks to journalist, podcaster and campaigner for freelance workers’ rights Anna Codrea-Rado and Phil Scone, Director, Digital Strategy & Solutions at ISG as they discuss the implications of the past six months on the world of work. Tune in to hear their conversation about the new future of work – how working practices, organizational structure and corporate culture will be influenced, and their vision of the role technology will play in the new working world order.

8/24/20 • 53:17

By now, most people are familiar with the benefits that can come with well-executed robotic process automation (RPA) implementation: increased accuracy improved productivity and hours given back to the business. But taking automation to the next level and scaling it across the business can be challenging. Many companies hit “the RPA wall.” Businesses are finding they need specialized help facilitating adoption, building resilience into their automation, and arming employees with the right tools to make the most of their RPA investment. A digital automation enablement platform helps them avoid the wall altogether because it facilitates RPA adoption across the enterprise and helps to accelerate the automation journey. In this month’s episode Chip Wagner, CEO of ISG Automation, and John Mone, CEO and Founder of digital automation enablement platform Neuralify, talk to host Barry Matthews about the need to focus on the “how” as well as the “what” of automation to ensure success. That is, educating, enabling and mobilizing citizen developers, reinforcing best practices and standardizing and simplifying the code review process to facilitate rapid RPA adoption and scaling. Listen in as they discuss Neuralify’s unique and market-leading approach to automation enablement.

7/31/20 • 49:53

As employees quickly transitioned to virtual work and began accessing business systems and technology remotely on a scale never experienced before, cybersecurity also quickly moved to center stage. The speed with which businesses have had to adapt to the new way of working has meant that some corners have inevitably been cut, leaving many organizations vulnerable to security breaches and cyberattacks. Now more than ever, enterprises need to focus on risk management and resiliency to assure the security of their systems. Mathew Newfield, Chief Information Security Officer at Unisys, joins ISG host Barry Matthews for a fascinating discussion about the security challenges businesses face as they emerge from lockdown and adapt to a new way of working. Listen in as they explore the types of cyberattacks that are occurring, best practices to ensure businesses and individuals stay as safe as possible, and how to ensure enterprise security in the new future.

6/9/20 • 43:29

The Healthcare industry is currently experiencing the highest levels of demand in modern times. At the same time, it is burdened with developing coping mechanisms, medicines and vaccines that will, in time, help protect us from subsequent outbreaks. There’s no doubt the industry will undergo radical transformation as a result of the pandemic. And hopefully the learnings it gains from the current experience will position the industry to better handle future health crises. This episode of the ISG Smartalks™ podcast takes a look at the Healthcare industry at the center of the COVID-19 global pandemic. ISG Partners Bob Krohn and Jamie Burke join host Barry Matthews to examine how Healthcare payors and providers are responding during these difficult times and what the industry will look like coming out the other side.

4/23/20 • 37:19

As the effort to slow the COVID-19 virus disrupts our lives, organizations are swiftly reacting to their governments’ calls to close offices and limit or ban social gatherings by asking their employees to work from home. What does this degree of disruption mean for businesses in the short, medium and long term? What measures can we put in place now to weather the storm and ensure we emerge in the best possible shape? Listen in to this special edition of the ISG Smartalks™ podcast as host, Barry Matthews, speaks to ISG Partners Bill Huber and David Lewis about the practical steps businesses can take to protect their revenues and manage costs during these uncertain times. Now more than ever organizations need a roadmap. Re-evaluating supply chains, business continuity plans and contracts are essential first steps as we respond to the current public health and economic crisis. Cloud solutions, as-a-service technology, automation and careful supplier management each will play an important role in allowing businesses to retrench and scale up again quickly when the worst is behind us. There’s no doubt many parts of business operations will be permanently impacted. An organization’s ability to survive and recover will depend on the actions its leaders take now. Human ingenuity is strong, and we believe innovative technologies and responsible work protocols will emerge from the ashes of the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Click here to read more about actions you can take right now to mitigate operational risk in the face of COVID-19. Join the webinar: COVID-19 – Top 5 Actions to Deploy Immediately

3/18/20 • 45:05

Sourcing has come a long way since the days of large-scale, single-supplier deals. Back in the ‘90s, it was the norm for companies to hand over the management of IT or other business processes to a single service provider, often for 10 or more years. Fast forward almost three decades, and the world has changed dramatically. During that time, we have seen the length of outsourced contracts pared down, often to less than three years. Suppliers and service providers are now referred to as “partners” with the implication that they have a stake in the success of their customers’ business. And enterprises engage with a vast number of third parties, each of whom is selected for a specific ability to address a particular need. This has resulted in a complex ecosystem of technologies and partners co-existing within an enterprise’s environment. Businesses are striving to maintain healthy ecosystems and avoid messy partner “divorces”, which are expensive and time-consuming. The challenge now is to adequately govern the many moving parts to drive continued business value and, at the same time, ensure operational agility, compliance and minimal risk. Of course, the key is to attentively manage performance, deliverables, obligations and compliance, and to communicate effectively. But the growing complexity within partner ecosystems makes effective governance increasingly difficult without the assistance of a comprehensive governance platform. Lois Coatney, Partner and President at ISG, joins Barry in the latest edition of the ISG Smartalks™ podcast to discuss the challenges surrounding the new sourcing paradigm of ecosystems, partners and platforms. Tune in to hear their conversation.

2/24/20 • 47:16