Impact with Digital with Jay Tikam

Struggling with AI strategy? In this episode of Impact with Digital, your host Jay Tikam introduces the AI SWIFTER Framework, a 9 Pillar strategy designed to guide CEOs, business owners, and executives through successful AI implementation.

This is part two - a follow on from Part 1, where we focused on the AI Hype and noise that leaves leaders overwhelmed and confused about their next step to AI strategy, in a world where everyone is pushing them to do something - rather than do the right thing.

If you are tired of the AI hype and the fear of costly mistakes, or the fear or missing out, this episode gives you a strategic blueprint for building AI solutions that deliver real business value and has the potential to SHIFT your business to new unthinkable heights.

Jay Tikam dives into each of the 9 +1 Pillars of the AI SWIFTER Framework:

• Alignment: Ensuring AI solves the right problem for the right people at the right time when needed in your business.
• Innovation: Driving purposeful AI innovation within your organisation and most importantly, creating an environment for experimentation.
• Skills: Developing the necessary skills for AI Success, & finding hidden talent that may already be lurking within your company.
• Workflow and Adoption: Effectively integrating I into existing workflows and ensuring the solution developed is actually used and proves valuable for stakeholders.
• Infrastructure: Building a robust AI infrastructure to cope with the demands of AI solutions.
• Frameworks & Models: Choosing the right AI tools and techniques.
• Tracking & Learning: Measuring AI performance for continuous improvement.
• Ethics & Controls: Implement AI responsibly and ethically, being mindful of risks and managing reputation.
• Results & Scale: Achieving tangible business outcomes and scaling AI solutions with repeatable modular approach that speeds up innovation and development. Ensuring the AI solution delivers enduring benefits rather than just following a latest craze.

The +1 component is present across all 9 pillars and its known as DISCOVERY. It plays a crucial role as an ongoing process for AI Strategy. Learn how to avoid AI failure and unlock the transformative potential of AI with the AI SWIFTER Framework.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the relentless noise around Artificial Intelligence?

Is your board pushing for an AI strategy?

Are consultants selling fear while employees worry about job losses?

In this eye-opening episode of Impact with Digital, host Jay Tikam speaks directly to CEOs, founders, and senior leaders navigating the chaotic, high-stakes world of digital and AI transformation. This is Part 1 of a powerful two-part series that breaks through the confusion—and reveals why most AI and digital initiatives fail before they even begin.

• Why 70–85% of AI initiatives fail—and what that means for your business

• The six types of AI failure every executive must understand

• Real-world cautionary tales from Air Canada, Amazon, and Wells Fargo

• The internal and external pressures pushing companies into AI before they’re ready

• The silent fears executives feel—but rarely voice

Digital transformation isn't about being the first to adopt AI, it’s about being the first to get it right. Whether you're a corporate executive, SME owner, or tech leader, this episode brings clarity, empathy, and strategy to a world drowning in buzzwords and fear-based selling.

👉 This is your map through the chaos, so you can lead with confidence instead of confusion.

• 00:00 – Feeling the Pressure: The overwhelming AI noise in the boardroom
• 01:00 – The Inner Dialogue: What executives really feel
• 02:30 – It’s Not Just You: AI anxiety is everywhere
• 03:00 – Noise from All Sides: Boards, vendors, regulators, and staff
• 06:00 – Public Confidence vs Private Doubt: Who do you trust?
• 09:00 – What If It Fails? Real fears, real risks
• 11:40 – Six Ways AI Projects Fail: From adoption issues to ethical landmines
• 16:00 – AI Gone Wrong: Case studies from major brands
• 21:30 – Why AI Initiatives Crash: The hype, the data gaps, the poor planning
• 25:00 – The Late-Night Questions: What keeps leaders awake at night
• 27:00 – The Real Risk: Doing AI for the wrong reasons

🎧 Next up in Part 2:

Jay shares a step-by-step framework to make your AI and digital strategy actionable, people-first, and impact-driven.

Spotify | Apple | Google Podcasts → @ImpactWithDigital

Learn more: Vedanvi.com

Tag @ImpactWithDigital and use #AIOverload #ExecutiveLeadership #DigitalTransformation

In this episode of Impact with Digital, we dive into a critical problem in AI adoption: 90% of AI initiatives fail—not because of the technology itself, but because companies approach AI as a tech-first initiative rather than a business-value-driven transformation. 

Our guest, Andrey Kaluzhny, CEO of 8Allocate, shares insights into: 

  ✅ Why AI implementations often fail to deliver business value 

  ✅ The common mistakes companies make when adopting AI 

  ✅ The stakeholder-first approach to AI & digital transformation 

  ✅ Why Ukraine has become a global leader in IT & AI talent 

  ✅ The importance of ecosystems and partnerships in digital success 

Andrey brings over 20 years of experience in software development, financial technology, and AI innovation, working with organisations across Ukraine, Poland, and Romania to drive digital transformation. 

🎯 Key Takeaways 

🚨 AI is not a magic bullet! 

• Many AI projects fail because companies implement AI for the sake of AI—without aligning it to business goals and measurable value. 
• Organisations must start with business strategy first, then integrate AI where it drives impact. 

📊 Data is the foundation of AI success. 

• Companies often jump into AI solutions before organising a strategy. 
• A successful AI implementation starts with data collection, data quality, and stakeholder needs before introducing automation. 

🌍 Ukraine is a rising powerhouse in AI & software engineering. 

• With world-class engineers, a strong mathematical background, and a thriving tech ecosystem, Ukraine is one of the best places to source high-quality AI & IT talent. 
• The Ukrainian tech industry is scaling fast, offering cost-effective, top-tier software development services. 

🤝 The power of strategic partnerships. 

• Large enterprises and banks often fail at digital transformation because they try to replicate FinTech models internally. 
• The smarter approach? Partnering with FinTech innovators instead of competing against them. 

⚠️ Why stakeholder buy-in matters. 

• Digital transformation isn’t just about technology—it’s about people, processes, and culture. 
• Without alignment from leadership & teams, even the best technology won’t succeed. 

 💡 Quotes from the Episode 

💬 "90% of AI actions fail because they focus on technology first instead of business value." – Andrey Kaluzhny 

💬 "If you don’t get stakeholder buy-in, even the best AI solution won’t succeed." – Jay Tikum 

💬 "Ukraine’s IT industry is one of the most scalable and cost-effective in Europe, with world-class AI and software engineers." – Andrey Kaluzhny 

💬 "Technology is just a tool. The real question is—are you solving the right problem?" – Jay Tikum 

📚 Resources & Links 

🔹 Connect with Andrey Kaluzhny on LinkedIn

  🔹 Learn More About 8Allocate:

  🔹 Read More on AI & Digital Transformation:

📩 We want to hear from you! Please take our quick survey to share the topics you’d like to hear about on the Impact with Digital Podcast. Together, let’s explore how digital strategies can create profit, social impact, and sustainability.

📣 Join the Conversation 

We’d love to hear from you! 

  💡 What’s your biggest challenge with AI adoption? Drop a comment below! 👇 

🎧 Enjoyed the episode? 

• Share it with your network & tag us! 
• Subscribe & leave a review to help us grow. 

Imagine Goldman Sachs’ top brass gathered in 2014, ready to rewrite the rules of consumer banking using digital as their weapon of choice. This isn’t a story of triumph, it’s a cautionary tale of ambition outpacing alignment.

In Part 2 of our Goldman Sachs deep dive, we unpack how Marcus, the bank's bold foray into consumer banking, ultimately had its ambitions curtailed—not because of poor execution, but because the strategy itself lacked stakeholder alignment.

🔍 What went wrong?

🎯 What if they had used a different framework?

💡 What can your business learn to avoid the same pitfalls?

We apply our proprietary SWIFTER framework to reveal where Goldman misstepped—and how a stakeholder-first approach could have saved billions.

This episode is a must-listen for CEOs, digital leaders, and transformation consultants looking to get digital right the first time.

What You'll Learn:

• Why Marcus by Goldman Sachs didn’t live up to its disruptive ambitions
• How cultural divides within a business can derail even well-funded digital strategies
• The three biggest stakeholder mistakes Goldman made—and how to avoid them
• How to use the SWIFTER framework to stress-test your own transformation efforts

Resources & Links:

Learn more about the SWIFTER framework: www.vedanvi.com

Connect with Jay Tikam on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jaytikam

Book a digital transformation audit or rescue: www.vedanvi.com

Welcome to part one of a powerful two-part mini-series where Jay Tikam breaks down why so many digital transformations fail—not at the end, but right at the beginning. 

We dive into the paradox of choice facing modern CEOs: with countless digital options on the table, how do you choose the right path? Jay reveals how the real problem often isn’t lack of leadership or resistance to change—but misdirection. 

This episode also features a stunning real-world case study: Goldman Sachs’ bold move into digital consumer banking and why it ended in multi-billion dollar losses, despite flawless execution. 

🔑 What You’ll Learn: 

• Why buzzwords like “leadership buy-in” and “digital-first mindset” oversimplify complex transformation failures 
• How too many digital options create confusion, not clarity 
• The four transformation routes CEOs typically consider: 
• Strategy & Innovation 
• Foundational Tech & Infrastructure 
• Automation & AI 
• Customer Experience 
• The 3 common traps organisations fall into when they commit to the wrong path: 
• "We need better tools" (tech overkill) 
• "We need to move faster" (speed over strategy) 
• "We need a bigger team" (capacity over clarity) 

📉 Case Study Spotlight: 

Goldman Sachs & Marcus (2016–2025) 

What started as a groundbreaking consumer banking venture became a cautionary tale. Despite top talent, cutting-edge tech, and ambitious expansion, Goldman’s Marcus division racked up $3 billion in losses. Why? They strayed too far from their core—and misunderstood what their stakeholders truly needed. 

💡 Key Takeaways: 

• The biggest threat in digital transformation isn’t resistance—it’s choosing the wrong path. 
• Without a structured framework, companies default to: 
• Chasing trends 
• Copying competitors 
• Relying on well-meaning but misaligned advice 
• Execution matters, but direction matters more. 
• Strategic clarity must come before digital tools, platforms, or hiring decisions. 

🛠️ What’s Next: 

In Episode 4, Jay will introduce the Stakeholder First Framework—a practical tool to help you pick the right digital path based on true stakeholder needs, not market noise. 

📣 Join the Conversation: 

If you’re navigating a digital transformation—or about to—this episode is your roadmap for what not to do. Got insights or a story to share?  

Let’s continue the discussion on YouTube or LinkedIn. 

In this episode, Jay Tikam introduces the concept of the Triple bottom-line impact of digital transformation. How it can simultaneously improve organisational performance, drive social impact, and contribute to environmental sustainability. Through a rich and detailed case study of a fictional "SME Bank," Jay illustrates how digital transformation can be used to:

• Reach underserved micro-businesses
• Reduce operational costs
• Enable financial inclusion
• Improve loan risk assessments through alternative data
• Launch green loan products aligned with ESG goals

• The challenges facing traditional banks in a competitive digital landscape
• How digital-only models reduce cost-to-income ratios
• The use of AI and alternative data for fast, accurate loan decisions
• The role of financial education tools in reducing default rates
• How green lending schemes can benefit the planet and boost market position?
• How this strategy led to:
• 200% increase in customers
• 24% profit margin
• Nearly doubled market share

• Digital transformation isn’t just tech, it’s a tool for real, tangible impact.
• By targeting micro-businesses, SME Bank unlocked a much larger market.
• AI-driven decision-making and financial education improved risk management and customer retention.
• ESG-focused products aren’t just ethical, they’re profitable.

• UK Department of Business and Trade SME stats
• British Business Bank’s Growth Guarantee Scheme
• Open Banking, Xero, QuickBooks, Shopify, Stripe, PayPal
• Sustainability scoring and green loan initiatives

If you found this episode insightful, share your thoughts on social or drop a comment on YouTube. Let’s continue the conversation around purpose-driven digital transformation.

Linkedin

In this first episode of Impact with Digital, host Jay Tikam, CEO of Vedanvi, reveals the shocking reason 70% of digital transformation projects fail, and what separates the successful 30%.

Through a powerful case study of a mid-sized bank’s failed AI chatbot rollout, Jay uncovers how hype, poor stakeholder alignment, and a lack of research can derail even the most well-funded initiatives.

Learn how to adopt a stakeholder-first approach, prioritise effectively, and build transformation strategies that actually work.️

Main Topics Covered

●Why most digital transformations fail (and the cost)

●A real-world Case Study of a failed AI rollout

●The dangers of tech-led vs. needs-led innovation

●Stakeholder mapping: customers, staff, executives, regulators

●How to properly research, test, and iterate before scaling

●The three-part framework: Listen. Learn. Transform.

●Why innovation starts with understanding pain points—not hype️

About Jay

Jay Tikam is the CEO of Vedanvi and the host of Impact with Digital

With decades of experience in helping organisations adopt digital strategies that drive real world results, Jay brings sharp insight and practical frameworks to help leaders transform with clarity and confidence.

Connect with Jay - Linkedin

Learn more at Vednavi.com

Looking to audit your digital strategy before it fails?

Explore Vedanvi’s Digital Transformation Audit & Rescue Program:

www.vedanvi.com

Additional Resources

● McKinsey: 70% of digital transformations fail

● Statista on global digital transformation spend

● Vedanvi’s blog: Digital Transformation Strategy

If you found this episode helpful:

✅ Subscribe to Impact with Digital

✅ Rate & Review on Apple or Spotify

✅ Share this episode with your leadership team

Welcome to the brand new Impact with Digital podcast, hosted by Jay Tikam, founder of Vedandi.

This new podcast delves into the reasons behind the high failure rates of digital transformations, emphasising the importance of prioritising stakeholders over technology.

Jay's extensive experience in financial services and the public sector informs the in-depth exploration of strategies like the SWIFTER model and the digital transformation strategy stack.

The podcast features insightful conversations with industry leaders and experts who have successfully turned around digital projects. A must-listen for C-suite executives, fintech founders, and leaders aiming to maximise their digital transformation efforts.

Subscribe and join the conversation on LinkedIn and through the newsletter.

Linkedin

Vedanvi

The first episode drops soon!

00:00 Introduction to Digital Transformation Failures

00:09 Welcome to Impact with Digital

00:16 Meet Your Host: Jay Tikam

00:27 Podcast Overview and What to Expect

01:02 Who Should Listen to This Podcast?

01:20 Join the Conversation

01:28 First Episode Announcement