The New Automation Mindset: AI + Automation + Integration

In this episode, Markus Zirn and Kim Huffman dive into invigorating topics of the power of automation, the transformative potential of AI, and the most effective strategies for enterprise transformation. Drawing from her diverse background at companies like Elastic, Navan, and Workiva, Kim shares valuable insights, emphasizing the evolving role of the CIO as a 'business technology leader.' The discussion delves into the shift towards understanding business processes, moving away from traditional tech-centric approaches. They also explore the relevance of business architecture, with Kim recommending a gradual, progressive implementation approach.

*(00:00) Episode Start

*(02:46) Automation and integration throughout Kim's career

*(08:22) Transformation of the traditional CIO

*(13:20) Successes and challenges for the new-age CIO

*(19:53) Navigating the paradox of increased business systems yet more organizational disconnection

*(24:26) Significance of understanding end-to-end business processes

*(28:07) Importance of agility in scaling and streamlining processes

*(31:07) Business architecture's impact on organizational transformation

*(35:33) Generative AI's effect on the role of the CIO

*(39:10) Today's Takeaway

• CIO as a business technology leader: The role of technology leaders is evolving. Whether it's the CIO, Chief Digital Officer, or Chief Transformation Officer, they are now orchestrators within an organization. Beyond tech solutions, they delve into understanding business processes to drive transformation. This shift signifies a move from traditional IT roles to becoming pivotal business enablers.

• Business architecture as a strategic tool: The development of business architecture is key, focusing on core business processes unique to your company. It serves as the roadmap for identifying process gaps, enhancing efficiency, and recognizing untapped opportunities for business value and growth.

• Revolutionizing automation with AI: Leveraging AI in automation revolutionizes business processes. Beyond task automation, AI provides supportive assistance in decision-making, augmenting human roles for overall efficiency. Leaders should actively seek ways to integrate these technologies for optimal business performance.

• Necessity in understanding of end-to-end processes: Understanding end-to-end business processes is crucial for tech professionals. It empowers them to identify efficiency improvements, contribute strategically, and drive innovation. This, coupled with the right technology tools, enables organizations to enhance value, customer experiences, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

“At the end of the day, if we all step back and we think about the way that our roles have changed as a result of technology. The concept of a technology organization focused only on technology and a business organization focused only on business is a limiting view. And I think because the technology has come to a point is that the CIO of today or the Chief Digital Officer is uniquely positioned to understand enough about technology, that if they have a real passion for the business change and the business process, it actually isn't an IT function, it's a business function. And it's a business function that is enabled and transforming that business through technology.”

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In this episode, Markus Zirn and Kerrie Jordan expertly navigate the latest breakthroughs in business automation and AI. Kerrie shares invaluable insights into innovative business solutions, the role of user-friendly tools like Epicor's Automation Studio, and the potential impact of generative AI. Emphasizing the importance of industry-specific solutions, Kerrie reveals the benefits of democratizing access to automation across organizations. Kerrie advises on developing industry-specific AI applications that go beyond generic automation, focusing on delivering tailored solutions that add significant value to each unique industry.

*(00:00) Episode Start

*(02:04) What is Epicor?

*(06:13) Automation's impact on manufacturing and common challenges

*(09:51) Workato's impact and alternatives in Epicor's Automation Studio

*(13:48) Balancing customization and user-friendly integration

*(17:01) Evolution of inclusive integration and democratization of automation

*(21:08) Importance of automation in the manufacturing

*(24:47) Seamless integration and orchestration of end-to-end data processes

*(26:31) Consultants' perspectives on new automation possibilities in the Epicor world

*(31:06) Generative AI and its impact at Epicor

*(40:26) Untapped potential of Generative AI

*(44:18) Today's Takeaway

• The importance of user-friendly automation tools: In the hustle of today’s business world, having user-friendly automation tools is a game-changer as a company undergoes digital transformation. They simplify tasks, keep operations running smoothly, and supercharge efficiency.

• The disruptive potential of Generative AI: Generative AI can completely revolutionize the way we work. With endless possibilities, it could lead to substantial increases in productivity across organizations.

• Tailored automation for your industry: Forget one-size-fits-all automation. It should be about crafting solutions that fit your industry like a glove. We're talking about value-driven solutions created through collaboration with customers—because who knows your industry better than you?

• Fostering 'citizen integrators' for agile operations: Meet the 'citizen integrator'— Kerrie defines them as anyone in the office, regardless of their role, who can step up and build integrations. It's all about letting everyone pitch in to create automated workflows, making the whole business run smoother and faster.

“We've come to call our users citizen integrators. And that's because it's really open to anybody…So, by enabling our citizen integrators, we're enabling the entire organization, the business leaders, not just IT, to be able to build those integrations, to manage the flow of data, to create really strong and compelling competitive advantages that they might not otherwise have had the opportunity to do so. So, when we enable those citizen integrators, those that really have a keen understanding for how data is leveraged across the organization and how, better yet, it could be leveraged. Then, we're really taking our solutions to the next level for these industries.”

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In today’s episode, Markus sits down with Vishwas Chouhan, Enterprise Architect at Kyndryl, the world’s largest provider of IT infrastructure services. Vishwas unravels key insights for businesses undertaking digital transformations, emphasizing the necessity of a 'growth mindset', encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and a proactive attitude towards change. A critical part of this change, he advises, involves simplifying technology footprints and streamlining processes. You’ll hear as he underscores the power of utilizing low-code platforms such as Workato to create more value and agility while closing the gap between technology and business. Lastly, he emphasizes clear governance to maintain balance, especially when scaling digital transformations.

*(00:00) Intro

*(02:34) Background on Vishwas and Kyndryl

*(08:11) What to look for when rebuilding legacy architecture from scratch

*(10:54) Leveraging automation to enable your teams to focus on what matters

*(14:20) Flipping the tech pyramid to bring more value to your business

*(18:26) How to get buy-in from your entire team

*(22:10) Why siloes need to be broken down between departments

*(24:46) Delivering marketing at the speed of business

*(31:07) Changing the mindsets of developers

*(37:45) The future combination of business and engineering

*(41:07) Democratizing access to automation while still maintaining governance

*(42:50) Today's Takeaway

• Invert the Technological Pyramid: By flipping the traditional pyramid of infrastructure and reducing your tech footprint, Vishwas explains how you can catalyze business transformation and increase the value output.

• Bring down the walls that silo your teams: Fostering a collaborative mindset focusing on end-to-end processes facilitates better alignment across departments, technology, and business.

• Low code is a shared language across teams regardless of skill: No-code / low-code platforms enable more stakeholders to work together and democratize development. They foster better communication, and make non-technical folks into engineers, and engineers into business people.

• Evolve governance as you evolve technology: A proper governance framework is critical in scaling operations while maintaining stability and preventing chaos. Vishwas highlights that your governance does not need to be set in stone and should change alongside your business and technology needs.

“When I came across Workato, it straight away out of the box fit the bill for me. When I saw that the platform was ready when it came to compliance, security, and was able to provide us observability end to end…that was what I was looking for.”

“Technology does not drive by itself. We're not there yet. We can talk about how AI is enabling that for us in the future. But for now, we still have technology and people together as partners. And when you're trying to drive that, you need to look at what the teams are trying to do and does it really help marketeers? As mentioned in the book, you need to always reimagine how can this be done better? So the low code, no code platform becomes a common language for both business and technology to speak because there used to be this constant shake between business and developers.”

“When I see a platform like low code, no code, it removes that friction, you can speak the same language. So you’re converting your developers to business and you're converting your business to engineers. And when you can get that aligned, there's no stopping it.”

“So my process was evolving and my technology footprint was really broad. And when I started to layer this requirement and start to break this up around people, process and technology…I said that, technology is what needs to give for me, because that will help me reduce the cost. It will also help me simplify. What would it look like if I flip this pyramid where my technology footprint is balanced with proper governance around it? And then you layer all your integrations and automations and you bring value which is right now, at the top, and you're flipping that and you're expanding and you're giving more value to the business.”

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In this episode, Markus Zirn and Sridevi Pasumarthi discuss the transformative power of automation on business challenges and the pivotal role of AI in its enhancement. Drawing insights from her experience at prominent companies like Slack, Arlo, Checkr, and Gusto, she illustrates how automation can be a game-changer when positioned aptly. They talk about the evolution from the traditional CIO role to innovation-driven business technology positions, exploring the shifting expectations for modern technology leaders. Sridevi advises on the importance of developing a ‘10X mindset’, urging companies to always consider scalability and envision solutions that effortlessly handle ten times their current scale.

*(00:00) Episode Start

*(01:13) Sridevi's automation philosophy

*(03:47) Maximizing efficiency through automation and integration platforms

*(07:54) Evolution from traditional IT roles to business technology roles

*(12:25) Impacts of merging AI and automation

*(17:07) Sridevi’s automation journey with Workato and notable use cases

*(24:43) Sridevi's automation advice

*(28:22) Today's Takeaway

• AI’s impactful role in automation: The combination of AI and automation is powerful. Sridevi shares how AI serves as a tool for recognizing patterns, offering insights, and facilitating informed decision-making.

• CIO's evolution toward business technology roles: The traditional CIO role is changing. CIOs must shift focus from system maintenance to strategic partnership in steering business technology.

• Embrace a ‘10X mindset’: Always consider scalability—envision your solution handling 10 times its current load. Start big, focusing on future growth. Automation isn't just for now; it's about preparing for the future.

• Automation's wide-reaching impact on business processes: Drawing from experiences from Slack to Gusto, Sridevi illustrates how automation effectively addresses unique business challenges.

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In this episode, Ted Shelton and Markus Zirn discuss insights into how businesses can leverage automation and AI to improve processes. They delve into real-world applications, use cases, and challenges in implementing these technologies. Ted explains the necessity of adopting a growth mindset to fully embrace and make the most of AI and automation tools. Ted shares his top 5 strategies for how businesses can foster the acceptance and appropriate use of these new technologies among employees.

*(00:00) Episode Start

*(03:26) How AI and Automation are connected

*(08:00) The new era of disruption and AI transformations

*(13:46) Early applications and use cases in operationalizing AI and automation

*(20:02) What Generative AI can impact when it comes to customer experience

*(28:28) Revolutionizing customer interactions with AI's declarative process shift

*(31:28) Challenges in adopting AI and breaking old mindsets

*(36:01) Democratizing AI and low-code philosophy

*(38:10) Ted's 5 pieces of advice for adopting AI

*(41:08) Today's Takeaway

*(42:40) Technological transformations and its impact on the workplace

• AI and automation are interconnected: As you begin to adopt AI into your business, understanding the intrinsic link with automation is paramount. Automation organizes data for AI models and applies those insights to your processes.

• The real driver of AI-driven transformation is your competition: the ease of access to AI now means competitors have access to the same technology - which is driving a new type of urgency with executive teams.

• The winners and losers in AI will be decided in three domains. How quickly and successfully companies can harness AI to improve efficiency, experiences, and innovation will decide whether they come out ahead or fall behind in this new era.

• Generative AI will make companies more proactive with their customers: Cost economics of interacting with customers and proactive customer support are changing, which will ultimately create more value for customers.

• The process mindset is key in the AI era: Integrating AI into business processes is key, and keeping a process mindset (systems thinking) is even more important. Although interactions with AI mimic human interactions, there must be a practical approach for effective deployment and utilization, mirroring how we collaborate with human colleagues.

• ‘Dynamic and disposable code’ is the future: Ted highlights the emerging concept of ‘dynamic and disposable code’, which breaks away from traditional coding methods. It relies on machines generating code in real-time based on described outcomes, revolutionizing the way humans and machines work together.

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In this episode, Markus Zirn sits down with Gabriel Enright to explore the dynamic intersection of automation and AI in the telecom industry. Gabriel shares his philosophy and Vodafone’s strategic approaches, delving into the integration of different systems, the goal of streamlining processes, and the evolving role of AI within the business. He discusses how business complexities can be handled through automation and how an early adoption of AI can be a game-changing strategic advantage. Gabriel advises listeners on the 'shift left' approach, highlighting the pivotal move towards decentralizing automation tools to empower non-technical teams and citizen automators, all while maintaining centralized governance.

*(00:00) Episode Start

*(00:46) Gabe's automation strategy

*(02:41) Automation vs. integration

*(04:00) Challenges with automation and integration

*(06:00) Scaling automation and integration globally

*(08:02) Gabe's thoughts on AI

*(14:02) Vodafone's automation use cases

*(16:29) Automation as a solution to complexity

*(18:27) Gabe's automation challenges

*(22:40) Vodafone's automation journey

*(30:57) Gabe's advice on automation and AI

*(35:26) Benefits of decentralizing automation

*(38:59) Today’s Takeaway

• Scalability through automation and AI: Embracing automation and AI opens new horizons for business scalability. However, unlocking this potential demands the collective creativity of our employees to redefine how we use automation.

• AI as a collaborator, not just an application: Considering AI another person within the organization can transform our approach to its use. This can lead to a clearer understanding of the outcomes achievable through automation and integration with AI.

• Handling complexity with automation: Automation is a powerful tool for managing inherent complexity in business operations. Leveraging automation allows organizations to effectively navigate intricate business processes, ultimately enhancing both employee and customer experiences.

• The importance of organizations to ‘shift left’: In this rapidly changing landscape, organizations must adapt. This inclusive strategy aims to decentralize automation, allowing individuals beyond the technical team to participate in integration and automation.

“So in abstracting away the complexity from the user, we can put the complexity into the automation, so that can deal with the different permutations based on the scenarios or circumstances of the sale or the operation of the service. So it's a very, very good tool to abstract away the complexity from the customer. But the nature of the business is complex, so at some tier, you need complexity and the automation tier is a great place to handle that.”

“AI is not an application. If you think of it like that, it's going to be very difficult to understand what outcomes you'll get with AI.”

“Decentralize the tool and centralize the governance because governance works across everything. Everyone should be on the same playing field. But what we do need to do is decentralize the effort to produce the services and also decentralize the execution.”

“The goal is to get the business and the citizen automators more involved in the work and doing the work. Put the accountability and the responsibility out to them.”

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In this episode, Darryl Maraj and Markus Zirn discuss the evolution and future of AI and automation. They emphasize the critical role the CIO will play as the world enters the new AI era. Darryl shares his experiences in implementing advanced technologies in GA Telesis, elaborating on their path to operational excellence, customer intimacy, product leadership, and security. They explore how IT can become a crucial part of the business strategy, fostering alignment across organizations.

*(00:00) Episode Start

*(01:37) Darryl’s Background

*(03:36) Darryl’s innovation with AI and business systems

*(09:17) How AI helped with 36,000 emails and enterprise SLAs

*(10:58) Why you need to get on board with AI Transformation

*(14:45) The impact of democratization and AI

*(18:57) How you should be reframing your mindset

*(22:26) The endless use cases for AI & Automation

*(26:33) Ways the CIO role is evolving

*(29:25) Why IT/Business alignment is outdated

*(33:25) The future of "fusion teams"

*(40:37) Why it's sometimes better to map your processes with sticky notes

*(42:32) Today's Takeaway

• Technology strategy is business strategy: Technology shouldn't be an afterthought - which is why IT/business alignment is outdated. Technology needs a seat at the strategy table. It should be seen as a partnership. This shift in mindset can lead to better collaboration, innovation, and overall success in achieving goals.

• AI as a watershed moment for business processes: With the democratization of AI, it is no longer in the hands of the gatekeepers. Everyone has access to it and it should be used as an interpreter to accelerate business processes.

• The need to rethink business process innovation: Rethink your approach to business processes–they are more than just operations. Treat your business processes as products to continually iterate and improve.

• The importance of implementing an agile approach to delivery: We all need to adopt an agile mindset, specifically when it comes to delivering advanced technology tools. This can provide significant value to end users, ensuring a sustained competitive edge in an ever-evolving market.

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In this episode, Rama Akkiraju and Markus Zirn discuss how generative AI is changing business processes, and uncover dozens of use cases. They consider its impact on democratization, organizations, and specific roles. Rama explains why unstructured data is the new gold mine, and they discuss why governance and guardrails are key for containing the superpowers granted by AI. Rama advises listeners to re-evaluate their processes in this new world. In her final advice, she suggests that adaptability is key, and flexible architectures are becoming more important than ever.

*(00:00) Intro

*(02:14) Interview Start

*(03:46) The evolution of AI and its impact on Rama's work

*(05:53) Democratization & citizen development with AI

*(09:49) Impact of AI on business processes

*(15:05) Expanding efficiency and accessibility with LLMs

*(18:05) The rise of “BigOps” and maximizing data

*(19:54) How generative AI will deliver better insights from process data

*(25:44) Security and IT operations use cases for generative AI

*(29:54) Knowledge management and enterprise search

*(32:10) The new importance of governance and guardrails

*(36:20) Rama's AI and automation advice

*(42:00) Key Takeaway from Today

• Generative AI opens the floodgates for democratization and citizen development: The rapid state of advancement of AI means that citizen development is here to stay, and democratization will move much farther ahead than ever before.
• Endless use cases are emerging with generative AI: Rama and Markus list dozens of use cases, from IT operations to security, knowledge management, change management, and more.
• The need for governance and guardrails is more crucial than ever: With great power comes great responsibility. As generative AI has the potential to expose new data that was previously inaccessible, we need to make sure we are disciplined in how we protect our teams and unstructured data.
• The heightened need for agility and flexibility: In the new rapidly changing environment, the need for flexible systems and organizations is greater than ever. Flexible architectures, nimble teams, and adaptability are paramount.

“Have an open mind. Go with the idea that everything could potentially be transformed. You have to rethink all the business processes, and everything that's been done before.”

“The technology is changing so fast, you have to have flexible architectures that will allow you to adapt and change.”

“When you harness them responsibly and strategically with the proper guardrails, AI and automation technologies can empower organizations to achieve their business goals with high levels of efficiency, productivity, and more.”

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For the last 30 years, companies have worked to create value with better processes. We've seen all kinds of approaches, from process re-engineering to robotic process automation. But this new era of AI– it's turning 30 years of business process theory on its head. It will change the way we all work forever.

In this new podcast, we'll go on a journey behind the scenes with leaders bringing this new era to life. Together, we'll uncover the secrets behind their success, the strategies that propelled them forward, and the challenges they conquered along the way.

The New Automation Mindset is your leadership blueprint, your guide to success in a world where change is constant and innovation is everything.

The New Automation Mindset, where AI, automation, and integration come together.

Hosted by Markus Zirn and brought to you by Workato.

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