💡 Why do so many digital transformation efforts fall flat?

According to David Williamson, a seasoned C-level tech exec in life sciences, it's not because of the technology—it’s because of the people.

On the latest Heartbeat episode, David joins host Mike Sommer to unpack why transformation fails, how to do it right, and what CIOs must prioritize in 2025.

🎯 Key takeaways:

- Cut costs by up to 30% and boost productivity by 20% through disciplined IT strategy.

- Avoid “tech-first” thinking—governance, SME engagement, and business buy-in are non-negotiable.

- AI isn’t a silver bullet. Without data quality and strategic integration, it’s just noise.

- Complexity kills—especially with platforms like Salesforce. Simplicity and alignment win.

He also dives into the shift from legacy consulting to outcome-based advisory, and how AI can accelerate everything from decision-making to drug approvals.

🔊 A must-listen for CIOs rethinking their digital and AI roadmaps.

How can CIOs turn their Salesforce orgs from chaotic to catalytic? In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer talks with Ian Gotts, founder of Elements.Cloud, to unpack what it means to implement “change intelligence” in Salesforce environments.

Ian reveals the hidden drivers of Salesforce inefficiency—fragmented data, overbuilt systems, and lack of governance—and shares how tools like Elements.Cloud are enabling IT leaders to regain control, reduce technical debt, and drive innovation at scale.

💡 Key Topics:

🎧 Whether you’re a CIO, CTO, or digital transformation lead, this is essential listening for anyone managing Salesforce at scale.

🔔 Subscribe for more insights at the intersection of tech strategy, platform operations, and digital leadership.

📌 Timestamps:

00:26 Meet Ian Gotts: The Change Intelligence Pioneer

02:38 The Genesis of Elements.Cloud

05:53 Challenges in Salesforce Management

14:44 Outdated Architectures & Governance Gaps

28:12 AI's Impact on Consulting

37:27 Documentation as a Driver of Innovation

46:59 Mindset Shifts for CIOs

49:21 Optimism for the Future

#Salesforce #CIO #DigitalTransformation #ChangeIntelligence #TechLeadership #TechnicalDebt #AI #EnterpriseIT

In this episode of Heartbeat, we sit down with John Georgatos (CIO @ Mike Morris Law Firm, Interim Global CIO @ VaynerMedia) to break down how he led a bold 90-day IT transformation—turning budget pressure into AI-powered results.

🔹 Legacy overhaul in record time

💬 “You don’t need a 12-month roadmap—what you need is momentum.”

CIOs—how are you balancing speed and scale right now?👇

#CIO #TechLeadership #AIinIT #DigitalTransformation #JohnGeorgatos #EnterpriseIT #Podcast #HeartbeatPod

What if CIOs had a place to grow—without vendors, pitches, or fluff?

In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with Scott Smeester, founder of CIO Mastermind, a private, vendor-free community built to empower IT leaders with strategic clarity, peer support, and real-world leadership development.

Scott unpacks the four biggest gaps holding back tech execs—business acumen, strategic leadership, professional development, and executive communication—and how his Rising Stars Framework is helping CIOs evolve into high-impact business leaders.

You’ll also hear:

If you’re a tech leader ready to lead beyond the tech stack, this episode is a must-listen.

🎧 Tune in now to rethink what it means to be a CIO in today’s enterprise.

What does it take to go from CIO to trusted business advisor?

In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer welcomes Karl Mosgofian—seasoned tech executive and former CIO of Gainsight—to unpack what it really means to lead IT in today’s dynamic enterprise environment.

With over three decades of experience, Karl shares hard-earned insights on scaling organizations, taming technical debt, and evolving IT from a back-office function to a strategic growth enabler. You’ll hear real-world strategies for implementing governance without killing innovation, selecting the right consulting partners, and building a future-proof technology foundation.

Whether you’re navigating startup growth, enterprise transformation, or somewhere in between—this conversation delivers the actionable guidance today’s IT leaders need.

🎯 Perfect for: CIOs, CTOs, IT Directors, and tech execs focused on aligning IT with business outcomes.

💡 Topics Covered:

📬 Enjoyed the episode? Stay ahead of the curve.

Subscribe to The Heartbeat newsletter for exclusive insights, CIO playbooks, and behind-the-scenes content: https://mailchi.mp/thekadencegroup/heartbeat-podcast-newsletter-tactical-insights-for-cios

📅 Want to explore how your IT strategy stacks up?

Book a free strategy call with our team: https://calendly.com/mike-sommer/linkedin-meeting-request

🔔 And don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert conversations at the intersection of tech and business.

#CIO #DigitalTransformation #ITLeadership #TechStrategy #TheHeartbeatPodcast #KarlMosgofian #EnterpriseIT #ITGovernance #ScalableTech

00:00 – Welcome & Introductions

00:12 – Personal reflections and career journey

01:11 – Shifting from CIO to strategic advisor

02:34 – Growth moments and leadership insights

04:05 – Managing scaling complexity

07:46 – Tackling technical debt effectively

13:23 – Change management through consulting

16:54 – How to choose the right consulting partner

17:13 – New models of IT consulting

18:09 – The “Done With You” consulting approach

19:03 – Custom solutions vs. best practices

21:05 – From startup agility to enterprise scale

23:43 – Why documentation drives consistency

31:32 – Balancing innovation with governance

34:25 – Final advice for today’s CIOs

How McKesson’s Velu Palani Leads Saleforce Transformation with AI, Frameworks & Strategic Vision

In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with Velu Palani, Vice President and Salesforce IT Service Leader at McKesson, one of the largest healthcare companies in the world.

Velu shares hard-won insights from leading enterprise CRM transformations, implementing Salesforce at scale, and integrating AI-driven frameworks to deliver customer-centric outcomes. From lessons learned in the trenches to building scalable foundations for AI, this episode is packed with strategic advice for CIOs, IT directors, and digital transformation leaders.

We also explore Velu’s passion for mentoring, community learning, and the evolving role of technology leadership in the enterprise.

🎧 Whether you're rethinking your CRM stack or exploring AI in Salesforce, this is a must-watch for modern tech leaders.

🔹 Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to the Heartbeat Podcast

00:12 – Meet Velu Palani: A Leader in CRM Strategy

01:13 – The Journey of Writing a Book

02:10 – Velu's Path to IT Leadership

04:02 – The Importance of Frameworks in CRM

06:16 – Lessons from the Trenches

12:31 – Foundational Elements for AI in Salesforce

15:34 – Defining CRM Success

17:37 – Fostering Innovation and Best Practices

21:12 – Advice to the Younger Self

22:14 – Continuous Learning and Giving Back

23:20 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

✅ Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell to stay updated on future episodes featuring today’s top technology leaders.

#CRMStrategy #SalesforceLeadership #DigitalTransformation #AIinCRM #TechLeadership #MidMarketCIO #VeluPalani #McKesson #HeartbeatPodcast

In this episode of the Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with John Ayers, a seasoned expert in customer experience, AI-driven personalization, and digital business transformation. John takes us through his fascinating career—from the rise of desktop publishing and MP3s to mobile responsiveness and the AI boom—sharing hard-earned lessons from navigating massive tech shifts.

Together, they unpack:

John also reflects on his journey, offering wisdom on staying curious, finding balance, and mentoring the next wave of leaders. Whether you’re a CIO, tech enthusiast, or business strategist, this conversation is packed with insights to help you thrive in today’s AI-driven world.

Subscribe for more episodes of Heartbeat and hit the bell to stay ahead of the curve!#AI #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #Leadership #Podcast

00:00 Introduction to Heartbeat Podcast 00:22 Guest Introduction: John Ayers 01:03 John Ayers' Career Journey 05:34 The Role of Data in Advertising 08:49 AI and Real-Time Personalization 11:04 Lessons in Digital Transformation 21:32 The Future of AI in Customer Experience 30:15 Balancing Technology and Human Experience 38:33 Closing Thoughts and Reflections

In this episode of the Heartbeat podcast, hosted by Mike Sommer, Glen Stoffel, Chief Strategy Officer at Moon Nox and co-founder of Camp4, delves into AI-driven transformation and the irreplaceable human elements in tech leadership. The discussion centers on professional services in tech, generative AI's role in boosting productivity, and the necessity of cultural alignment and human interaction in the digital era. Glen shares his journey from early cloud consulting with Bluewolf to pioneering AI solutions at Moon Nox, emphasizing the balance between technological innovation and maintaining clarity of strategy and culture. The episode also covers the shift to remote work, the evolving needs for collaboration, and the skills crucial for future technology leaders.

🎧 In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with Tim Winders, Associate VP of IT and Deputy CIO at Purdue University. With over 30 years in higher ed IT, Tim shares lessons from leading major initiatives—like the IT centralization across Purdue campuses and unifying Purdue Northwest.

He dives into how tech can truly transform the student and faculty experience, why strong business processes beat flashy tools, and why shared governance is non-negotiable. From cybersecurity hurdles to hybrid work challenges and the power of in-person networking, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights.

Stick around for Tim’s advice on work-life balance—and hear what keeps him motivated after three decades in the field.

🎙️ A must-listen for IT leaders navigating digital transformation in complex organizations.

00:00 Introduction to Heartbeat Podcast

Heartbeat host Mike Sommer,  sits down with Brian Glass, CIO at Transcend Company, to talk about what it really means to lead IT at scale—especially in high-stakes industries like healthcare.

Brian’s journey from early tech curiosity to leadership roles at GM, Volkswagen of America, and Ally Financial is packed with lessons for any CIO navigating disruption, transformation, and the relentless pace of change.

Here’s what we covered: ✅ Why servant leadership still wins

✅ Building adaptable, high-performing IT teams

✅ The real-world role of AI in enterprise environments

✅ Creating a culture that embraces "failing forward"

✅ Aligning IT with evolving business needs

Brian’s insights are both tactical and human—grounded in values, collaboration, and a passion for innovation.