CIONET

„Innovation needs to be built on open foundations. It's only if we're working together to build off of one another, we can meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode, Melissa Evers, Vice President - Software and Advanced Technology Group, General Manager of Strategy to Execution at @Intel, talks with Hendrik Deckers about effective ways to leverage data to shape business strategy and foster a company culture. She also shares her views on the role and potential of open source in the data economy.

Furthermore, Melissa gives her advice on how to be a great manager by innovating, changing old behaviours and learning new competencies and skills.

Dive into this interview to learn more and be inspired by Melissa Evers!

„The more successful I was at connecting with people as a business leader, not just a technology leader, the faster we made progress and the more we got trust and budget support.”

In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode, Stuart McGuigan, former CIO of the Department of State, talks with Hendrik Deckers about the art and science of marrying a company's mission to the technology strategy and explains why aligning to the mission motivates people better and unleashes their creativity.

Stuart also shares his views on similarities and differences between working in a business and government environment. How to identify the strengths of the culture you're in? How to leverage those strengths and identify the weaknesses? And how to come up with mitigating strategies for the weaknesses?

Dive into this interview to learn more and be inspired by Stuart McGuigan.

’We can liberate hours and allow our employees to do what they were primarily hired to do. And that's why I think in the era of great resignation automation should be the number one priority for all CIOs and CFOs’’.

Does automation allow enterprises to scale up their businesses? Who is a leader of this process: CFO or CIO? Where and how to implement automation?

In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode, Hitesh Ramani, CAO at UiPath, talks with Hendrik Deckers about benefits of automation and the partnership between CIO and CFO, which benefits the organisation by saving significant amounts of time, money, and energy. And as a result, the organisation is able to scale up faster.

Hitesh shares with us how UiPath is implementing automation, how it identifies the internal demand and tools.

‘’The key strength is to keep this startup mindset in the sense of constantly looking, how to be more efficient,’’

How to deal with the pressure of becoming more digital? How to adapt to become a sustainable business? How to win the best talents?

In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode, Eulalia Nadal, CCO and CIO at GBfoods, talks with Hendrik Deckers about constant pressure to adapt business to changing trends such as: customers behaviour, digital demands/developments and attracting and retaining talents.

Eulalia shares with us where GBfoods is in the process of implementing automation, the internal demand and tools that help to identify the automation processes.

Eulalia talks about the partnership of CIO and CFO. Who is the innovator and who is the controller? How they can work together for automation.

Get to know Eulalia's experience and advices. Watch the full interview.

Table of content

01:06 | Introduction and Eulalia’s background

03:12 | About GB foods

04:30 | Drivers to change

05:47 | Adapting to changing industry

07:42 | Automation

09:20 | Reasons for implementation of automation

10:40 | Automation in Financial Department

11:45 | Automation in HR

13:08 | Identification of results and challenges

14:47 | Automation Team

15:26 | RPA strategy

16:15 | Future of Citizen’s Development

17:46 | RPA vs costs

18.35 | Challenges of implementation

20:42 | ERP strategy

21:30 | ERP and RPA together

22:22 | CFO and CIO together on automation

25:24 | Eulalia’s experience with CFO

27:57 | Tips for CIOs & CFOs

29:24 | IT and digital structure

30:40 | CIO role

32:19 | Attracting new talents

34:30 | Diversity and inclusion in work

35:17 | Reasons to work in GB food

36:46 | Leadership style

38:08 | MBTI personality type

41:10 | Journey to become leader

42:55 | Drivers in personal and professional life

44:00 | Core values

45:35 | Mentor

46:37 | Lessons from good and bad experiences

48:44 | Biggest failure

50:29 | Best thing in life

51:57 | Passion in private life

53:22 | Biggest fear

55:40 | Advice for future digital leaders

Do we have to be afraid of technology in our daily lives in the future? How the way we work is changing and what does ‘’the workplace of the future’’ mean? Watch the interview and find out.

In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode, CarstenTrapp, Head of Corporate IT of Zeiss Group talks with Hendrik Deckers about (i) adapting to new technology trends, (ii) implementing a workforce transformation and (iii) putting IT and Digital teams working together (Digital Power House). Carsten shares his view on leveraging technology to embrace automation and make life easier with ‘’robotisation’’.

✅ UiPath technology & Center of Competence for using RPA (Robotic Process Automation)

✅ Personal Robots

✅ AI and machine learning

Carsten follows his personal mantra in his work life: ‘’love it, change it or leave it’’. He believes that if you love the things you do, you have a big chance to succeed. He describes Zeiss as a family-oriented organisation which makes it stronger as well as an organisation who wants to serve for a purpose.

Watch the full interview to learn more about Carsten and Zeiss incredible work.

#CIONEXT #UiPath #DigitalLeaders #DigitalTransformation #Automation #FullyAutomatedEnterprise #CIONET #DigitalLeadership #CIO

Table of Content

01:05 | Introduction and Carsten Trapp’s background

03:04 | About Zeiss Group

04:50 | 4 Business Units in Zeiss

05:27 | Locations, revenue

05:45 | Major drivers for change

07:40 | Strategy to changes of trends

09:30 | Zeiss’ approach to innovating business

11:50 | Workplace of the future

13:59 | Guidelines of the IT team

15:47 | Reorganisation of workplace due to pandemia

17:16 | Workforce transformation

19:27 | Diversity gives opportunity

20:22 | Challenges to recruit IT team

21:38 | How Zeiss attracts new talents

22:42 | Embrace automation

24:59 | UiPath experiments

26:04 | ‘’Robotisation’’

27:32 | Control on future technology in everyday life

30:04 | AI & machine learning

31:31 | IT and Digital dependence

35:10 | Sourcing strategy

39:00 | Role of CIO/IT

40:50 | Management style

42:14 | Leadership style

44:25 | MBTI: the Protagonist

46:20 | Overcoming weaknesses

48:03 | Carsten’s core values

49:30 | Personal drivers in life

50:40 | Inspirations

54:00 | Personal mantra

55:13 | Best moment in life

56:19 | The worst thing ever happen to me and lessons from it

58:17 | Carsten’s biggest fear

59:27 | The best thing ever happen to me

1:00:00 | Advice to newcomers

How do you transform a ship into a hospital in one week? What is “Control Tower Program” and how did it transform the GNV business model? Watch the interview and find out!

In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode Barbara Poli, CIO & CTO of GNV Grandi Navi Veloci talks with Hendrik Deckers about the dramatic transformation of the organisation’s business model, challenges they faced when the Covid pandemic hit Italy and the world and the company’s successful effort to turn a ship into a Covid hospital in roughly one week. Building the ship-hospital presented some serious challenges:

✅ Ensuring the continuous transfer of data from the ship to the hospitals

✅ Technical issues with cabling the ship

✅ Setting up the video surveillance system, software system and the complete workstation for health care personnel

“I like to define myself as a person that likes to change the status quo”, Barbara says and shares with us her unique leadership style. Make sure you watch the whole interview with this extremely positive and inspiring digital leader!

Every year CIONET nominates top CxOs as finalists of the European Digital Leader of the Year. Barbara represents Italy in the B2C category. Join us on the special edition of #CIONEXT on November 10 at 14:30 CET where we will feature all the finalists of the B2B & B2C categories and announce winners. Register at https://www.cionext.com/

Table of contents:

01:05 | Introduction and Barbara Poli’s background

04:13 | About GNV

05:20 | The Covid impact on the business

07:56 | The unique role of GNV during the Corona crisis

12:23 | Turning a ship into a Covid Hospital

15:40 | Change and Transformation Processes

18:30 | Control Tower Program

26:02 | The IT organization at GNV

27:07 | The role of Barbara Poli as CIO

28:49 | Barbara’s management & leadership style

32:19 | MBTI : ENFJ – protagonist

33:54 | Personal weaknesses

36:36 | What makes Barbara happy at work

37:33 | Core values

39:22 | Personal mantra

40:11 | Negative experiences that shaped Barbara as a leader

41:50 | Barbara’s biggest fears

42:14 | What makes Barbara smile

43:05 | What Barbara is grateful for

43:39 | Advice for future CIOs

“I think technology is becoming a key part of strategy. I simply don't see how you're going to define a strategy without thinking how your technology is going to help or not help that strategy”

In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode Javier Cabrerizo, Global Managing Director at Prosegur talks with Hendrik Deckers about the organisation’s digital transformation, new approach towards innovation and data strategy. Prosegur, founded 40 years ago is present in 26 countries and provides wide scope of services related to corporate and private safety. Javier explains how technology is becoming an inseparable part of strategy and how he defined two key areas in the digital transformation:

✅ Operation model: the way you run the company

✅ Innovation model: the way you grow

Experience in startups, years with Oracle in the Silicone Valley, corporate environment - Javier has done it all and he learnt his lessons. He is a leader with a clear vision and a well-defined style that keeps him open to new technologies and solutions. “You cannot control the things that happen to you, but you do control the way you react to them”, he says and this has become my motto too! I highly recommend you watch the whole interview and take your learnings from this experienced top digital leader!

Every year CIONET nominates top CxOs as finalists of the European Digital Leader of the Year. Javier represents Spain in the B2B category. Join us on the special edition of #CIONEXT on November 10 at 14:30 CET where we will feature all the finalists of the B2B & B2C categories and announce winners. Register at https://www.cionext.com/

01:19 | Introduction and Javier Cabrerizo’s background

05:05 | About Prosegur

06:05 | Drivers for change

07:50 | Javier’s focus within the transformation

08:28 | Operation model

13:17 | Automation of processes

14:52 | Innovation model

18:16 | Innovation challenges

22:36 | Internal innovation and entrepreneurship program

25:10 | Organisation of IT and Digital

27:31 | IT Operating Model

28:26 | Data strategy

32:11 | Cybersecurity

34:11 | Javier’s role in Prosegur

35:25 | Changing role of CIO

38:00 | Javier’s management & leadership style

43:16 | What drives Javier?

45:28 | MBTI: the Protagonist

52:12 | Personal mantra

54:19 | Javier’s core values

56:52 | Important mentors

59:11 | The best & worst moments in life

01:03:15 | Learning from mistakes

01:06:49 | Advice for people starting out

“When you don't have confidence, all you need is a healthy dose of courage”

How do you help people to reach their best? How do you become a true change maker?

In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode Cindy Hoots, Chief Digital Officer and CIO of AstraZeneca talks with Hendrik Deckers about joining the organization at the eve of Covid-19 pandemic and managing change in the most turbulent times. Cindy emphasizes strong ethics across the organization, a critical enabler for rolling out the vaccine at record speed. Cindy also explains the 4 key pillars of AstraZeneca’s 2025 Strategy:

✅ Leading with AI and insights

✅ Accelerating innovation and delivery

✅ Optimizing, not just in IT, but across the company and the entire ecosystem

✅ Becoming an even better place to work

Cindy is a visionary with a clear leadership style, courageous and inspirational, yet grounded and result-oriented. “I learned early in my career that the more we focus on people, the more results we get”, she says. Make sure you watch this insightful interview and absorb all the knowledge from Cindy, the unique digital leader!

Every year CIONET nominates top CxOs as finalists of the European Digital Leader of the Year. Cindy represents UK in the B2B category. Join us on the special edition of #CIONEXT on November 10 at 14:30 CET where we will feature all the finalists of the B2B & B2C categories and announce winners. Register at https://www.cionext.com/

Table of contents:

01:23 | Introduction and Cindy Hoots’ background

04:17 | About AstraZeneca

05:23 | Joining the company right before the pandemic hit

07:06 | AstraZeneca’s values

08:15 | Change maker

11:35 | Leading with AI & insights

12:53 | Accelerating innovation

15:34 | Optimization with technology

16:42 | IT organization

18:38 | Cindy’s role within the organization and the role of CIO

22:24 | Cindy’s management style

26:24 | Cindy’s leadership style

28:52 | MBTI: the Commander

33:42 | Cindy’s core values

36:12 | Important mentors

40:04 | The best & worst moments in life

44:53 | What drives Cindy

45:36 | Personal mantra

46:29 | The most brilliant failure

48:58 | Advice for people starting out

50:33 | The power of networking

In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode Thomas Mannmeusel, Executive VP Process Optimization & Group CIO of Webasto talks with Hendrik Deckers about the Global Process Organization, unique program that helps Webasto to break the silos. Thomas explains why he is a big fan of decentralization and building networks and how meeting a basketball mentor helped him to understand the business world better. He also believes that transforming traditional team structures is key to achieve better business results:

✅ Building cross-functional teams

✅ Leveraging data to boost productivity

✅ Giving importance to flawless communication

Thomas takes his leadership to another level and redefines the role of CIO by acting as the “glue” among all corporate functions. „If you make others successful it will eventually pay back”, he says. Don’t miss this amazing leadership lesson and watch the whole interview!

Every year CIONET nominates top CxOs as finalists of the European Digital Leader of the Year. Thomas represents Germany in the B2B category.

Table of contents:

01:04 | Introduction and Thomas Mannmeusel’s background

05:11 | About Webasto

06:46 | Drivers of change

09:05 | Global Process Organization (GPO) Program

13:05 | Benefits of GPO implementation

14:42 | Methodologies used in GPO

18:30 | GPO – from opportunity to reality

21:55 | Focus on future and benefits of changes

23:25 | Benefits of data

25:46 | Webasto’s IT Organization

27:52 | The impact of pandemic on the work organization

30:55 | AR & AI

32:25 | Thomas’ role within the company

33:36 | Changing role of CIO

37:35 | Thomas’ management style

41:01 | Attracting top talents

44:57 | Thomas’ leadership style

47:18 | Ways to relax

50:58 | MBTI: the Campaigner

53:30 | Core values & mentors

57:55 | The best & the worst moments in life

01:02:20 | Secret to happiness & personal mantra

01:04:52 | Advice for people starting out

“I love IOT, but not because I love IOT is because we love what we can do with IOT. We love what we can do with APIs. We love what we can do with the different pieces of technology.”

How is digital immersion leveraging innovation? What is more important: inclusion or diversity?

In this #LeadershipDeepDive episode Marina Bellini, CIO & CDO of BAT talks with Hendrik Deckers about the organisation’s transformation journey, creating new channels to directly connect with the customer in a company that has traditionally been an indirect business, the importance of inclusion, cloud-first strategy and practical value of data. Marina and BAT put huge emphasis on sustainability :

✅ On the way to become carbon neutral

✅ Bringing more customers into the reduced risk products

✅ Powering data centers with green energy

✅ Reducing plastic & becoming paperless

Marina is a truly empathic leader, demanding, yet always understanding and caring. She is a visionary, who in spite of an amazing career, remains humble. “I just know how much I don't know, and I still have to learn in my life”, she says. Make sure you watch the whole interview and absorb all the knowledge of this expressive digital leader!

Every year CIONET nominates top CxOs as finalists of the European Digital Leader of the Year. Marina represents UK in the B2C category. Join us on the special edition of #CIONEXT on November 10 at 14:30 CET where we will feature all the finalists of the B2B & B2C categories and announce winners. Register at https://www.cionext.com/

Table of contents:

01:03 | Introduction and Marina Bellini’s background

02:54 | About BAT

04:22 | Multi-category strategy to fit customer needs

06:14 | Role of technology and digital in BAT’s transformation

07:41 | New ways of getting to know the customer

15:07 | Mastering the data

18:59 | Bringing the change

22:55 | Digital sustainability

25:22 | Cloud-first strategy

27:24 | Marina’s digital team

29:39 | Becoming agile

32:14 | Changing role of CIO

36:13 | Setting up innovation

43:21 | Marina’s management style

47:16 | Marina’s leadership style

48:33 | MBTI: the Campaigner

50:02 | Marina’s ways to relax

56:22 | Marina’s core values

57:28 | Important mentors

01:02:40 | The best & worst moments in life

01:05:50 | Advice for people starting out