Connected Futures: A Cisco Podcast Exploring Business Innovation Insights

Siri, Alexa and those ever-chattier bots on retail sites are interacting with us in all-new ways. But as smart as they are, sometimes it still seems as if we may as well be speaking another language. That’s set to change, according to James Landay, an expert on human-computer interactions at Stanford University. In particular, he sees speech recognition — together with other technologies like cloud-based AI — transforming our work experiences in profound ways. As machines go beyond simple commands and questions to understand our intent, context, nuances of language, even our emotions. In this podcast, Connected Futures executive editor Kevin Delaney speaks with James about the coming revolution of smart, talking machines in the workplace.

Experts weigh in on how digital transformation is creating clean water in some of the world’s most challenging places. In this podcast, Connected Futures’ executive editor Kevin Delaney speaks with: Amir Peleg, founder and CEO, TaKaDu Annie Feighery, CEO, mWater Leo T. Kenny, senior scientist and technologist, Planet Singular Kevin Wandolowski, senior manager of monitoring and evaluation, Water for People Anil Menon, global president of Cisco’s Smart+Connected Communities group

The challenges of the business world can’t compare to the extreme pressures of combat. Some days it just seems that way. But the Army’s hard-won lessons about leadership do apply for any manager dealing with rapid change, disruption, and decision making in fluid situations. In this podcast, Connected Futures executive editor Kevin Delaney speaks with Col. Scott Snook, an expert on leadership at Harvard Business school. Col. Snook has led soldiers in combat, taught at West Point, and is the author of Friendly Fire: The Accidental Shootdown of U.S. Black Hawks Over Northern Iraq. And he has some fascinating insights into the changing nature of leadership in the digital age.

The Internet of Things promises unheard of efficiency and opportunities. But no one said it would be easy. And few companies possess all the skill sets to go it alone. In a Cisco survey, partners proved to be a critical factor among the only 26 percent of companies that reported having even one fully successful IOT implementation. But managing multiple partners on a complex project can raise its own challenges. In this podcast, Connected Futures executive editor Kevin Delaney discusses some best practices for making the partner ecosystem work for you.

Imagine a city that’s clean, safe, and economically vibrant? Not to mention, fun, creative, and smart. Who wouldn’t want to live there? But a smart a city has to be a digital city. And transformation is never easy. So, what can city leaders do to realize that vision of a thriving 21stcentury digital city? In this podcast, Kevin Delaney, co-author of the paper Digital Cities: Building the New Public Infrastructure, seeks answers from: Bob Bennet, chief innovation officer of Kansas City, Mo.  Jesse Berst, founder of the Smart Cities Council Dr. Sumit Chowdhury, founder of India’s Gaia Smart Cities Lou Zacharilla, Intelligent Communities Forum

Transforming your organization for the Internet of Things era is no small feat. And according to Cisco’s research, only 26 percent of organizations can claim even one fully successful IoT initiative. But what are those successful companies doing right? In this podcast, Kevin Delaney, co-author of the Cisco research report Internet of Things: Challenges, Breakthroughs, and Best Practices, speaks with some leading lights in the technology world about their IoT successes and challenges: Bob Bennett, chief innovation officer for Kansas City, Mo.; Guy Brassard, CIO of Southwire, a leader cable manufacturer; Peter High, founder of Metis Strategy, an IT consulting firm; Nick Rockwell, chief technology officer of The New York Times; Michael Spandau, CIO of Fender Musical Instruments; and Zeus Karavala, founder of the IT consulting firm ZK Research.

Few industries were more impacted by digital disruption than print media. And few newspapers were more rooted in tradition than The New York Times. Yet The Times — once nicknamed the Gray Lady for its stolid resistance to change — has responded to the challenges of the digital age with a wave of innovation. One that has set standards for the industry and created new revenue streams in a challenging, fast-changing marketplace. In this podcast, Connected Futures executive editor Kevin Delaney chats with The Times’ chief technology officer, Nick Rockwell. Along the way, Nick shares insights that apply to business and tech leaders in any industry dealing with the upheavals of the digital age (that is to say, all industries).

Ray Charles once said, "they don't pay me to play music, I do that for free. They pay me to get stuck in airports." Touring musicians or not, we can all relate to the frustration of lost luggage, flight delays, and missed connections while flying. Today digital technologies offer many new solutions, but in the complex ecosystem of a major airport, implementing those solutions takes some deft leadership. 

Let's face it, life isn't easy for IT leaders. Cloud mobility, shadow IT, and relentless cyber attacks all drive mounting complexity to the point where simply keeping the lights on is a bigger challenge than ever. Today's CIO must deliver so much more. Given the pace of business disruption, CIO's can't just be operational, they must be transformational. That is, innovation leaders; sensing technology and business transitions before they happen and keeping the CEO, the board, and the business side informed and in position to drive competitive disruption.

Digital transformation is hard enough in any industry. But consider the challenges in one of the most complex ecosystems today: a major airport. Multiple stakeholders — including airlines, vendors, retailers, and, of course, tens of millions of passengers — demand the most efficient and seamless experience. And security and safety are paramount. Digitization is what makes it all work — and grow. Lynette DuJohn is the Chief Digital Officer of Vancouver International Airport (YVR), which Business Insider recently rated No. 1 in North America. Lynette spoke with Connected Futures Senior Writer Kevin Delaney about some of her challenges and successes.  And how she is using digital technologies to create what she calls the “perceptive airport” — one that offers an ever-better experience for passengers and workers alike.  

The Luddites are often portrayed as comical contrarians, on the wrong side of history.   In fact, they had real-life fears about how machinery would impact their textile jobs in 19th century England.   Today, artificial intelligence is driving similar fears about replacing humans.   Tech innovators, business leaders, and politicians will need a better understanding of the moral impact of AI. Especially as AI begins to drive cars, converse with customers, and influence life-and-death decisions on the battlefield.   But what exactly are the ethics of AI?  Connected Futures senior writer Kevin Delaney spoke with Colin Allen, who teaches the history and philosophy of science and medicine at Indiana University, Bloomington.   Among his many books, Dr. Allen was co-author of Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right from Wrong.

The business world gets more complex every year, if not every week. Yet we’re essentially making important decisions with brains that evolved tens of thousands of years ago. And while we’re no longer fighting for survival on the African Savannah, some days it may feel like it. But whether facing hostile tribes or belligerent boardrooms, primitive “fight or flight” instincts don’t have to cloud our decision-making. Kevin Delaney, senior writer for Connected Futures, is joined by Cathy Davidson, author of Now You See It: How Technology and Brain Science Will Transform Schools and Business for the 21st Century. Cathy serves on the Board of Directors of Mozilla and was the 2016 recipient of the Ernest J. Boyer Award for Significant Contributions to Higher Education. In 2011 she was appointed to the National Council on the Humanities by President Obama. She holds the position of Distinguished Professor and is the founding director of the Futures Initiative at the City University of New York.

$506 billion dollars. In the retail industry, this is the Digital Value at Stake globally over the next three years. It's a big opportunity. And yet, less than one quarter of retailers are actively doing something to secure those dollars. This two-part series explores the impact of digital disruption on the retail industry. This episode dives into the problem: why retailers are leaving money on the table. Stefanie McCann, editor of Connected Futures Magazine is joined by Shaun Kirby, leader of Cisco's Rapid Prototyping Group and Jason Goldberg, SVP at Razorfish

$506 billion dollars. In the retail industry, this is the Digital Value at Stake globally over the next three years. It's a big opportunity. And yet, less than one quarter of retailers are actively doing something to secure those dollars.    This two-part series explores the impact of digital disruption on the retail industry. This episode dives into the problem: why retailers are leaving money on the table. Stefanie McCann, editor of Connected Futures Magazine is joined by Shaun Kirby, leader of Cisco's Rapid Prototyping Group and Jason Goldberg, SVP at Razorfish.    Read more: http://www.connectedfuturesmag.com/a/S15R13/retail-roadmap/ 

Today’s manufacturers are challenged with how to start digitizing their factories. Many want to differentiate with new service-oriented revenue models, especially those that rely on connected machines and machine as-a-service. Yet, complexity and a lack of digital capabilities are holding companies back. To resolve this service dilemma, the services and digital journeys must converge. In this podcast, Douglas Bellin, Global Lead, Manufacturing and Energy Industries at Cisco, and Scott Lapcewich, VP GM Customer Support and Maintenance for Rockwell Automation, discuss how manufacturers can implement a service model in order to digitally transform their business. They will highlight the challenges and opportunities as firms manage products and services simultaneously. Join the conversation, @CFuturesMag

In this episode, Steve Durbin, Managing Director of the Information Security Forum (ISF) and James Mobley, Vice President of Cisco’s Security and Collaboration Services Group continue their discussion about the CFO’s role in cybersecurity. They explore how executives can move past the notion that security is an only an IT problem and view it as business growth enabler.

There’s no question that chief financial officers are spending more money on cybersecurity. While many are doing so to protect against threats, others see cybersecurity as an opportunity to innovate. In this podcast, Steve Durbin, Managing Director of the Information Security Forum (ISF) and James Mobley, Vice President of Cisco’s Security and Collaboration Services Group explore how executives view cybersecurity less as a “cost center” and more as a change catalyst.

What are the “secrets” and best practices of successful executives? How are they leveraging digital and talent in a disruptive marketplace and leading transformation from within? In this podcast, Part 2 of a three-part series, Peter High, Metis Strategy President, Author and Keynote Speaker, interviews Ted Colbert, Chief Information Officer of The Boeing Company. Together, they highlight The Boeing Company’s digital journey and what this means for the aerospace industry.    

What are the “secrets” and best practices of a successful c-suite? How are executives leveraging digital and talent in a disruptive marketplace and leading transformation from within? In this podcast, Part 1 of a three-part series, Peter High, Metis Strategy President, Author and Keynote Speaker and Gus Shahin, Chief Information Officer and Senior Vice President of IT at Flex shed light on these trends and questions.  

  According to Cisco research, over 50% of consumers are willing to exchange certain types of data and personal information with businesses in exchange for value-added services. Most consumers have little or no reservation sharing “basic” information about themselves, their past purchasing behavior, or their interests and hobbies. However, there is a “trust cliff,” a steep drop-off in willingness to share certain types of personal information beyond this basic information. Factors such as location, purchases from other retailers, and so forth remains a point of question for many consumers. So how can organizations balance the need to secure customer data and privacy while delivering hyper-relevant experiences based on data insights? How can they avoid falling off the trust cliff, yet maximize the relationship with their customers? In this podcast episode, Michelle Dennedy, Chief Privacy Officer at Cisco and Michael Kaiser, Executive Director at the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) discuss how organizat