<![CDATA[Enterprise Signals]]>In this series of podcasts, we will uncover the 'real story' of AI in the mid market space by talking with Chief Information Officers, VP's of IT and Directors of IT to understand what is really happening with AI in the mid market space. We will also uncover that leaders are looking for when they create their SME or CoE AI team. Finally, we will assist candidates on what talents they should hone to help grow their careers and meet the demands of these CIOs, VPs and Directors of IT

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sat, 18 Jul 2026 00:25:28 GMTFri, 20 Mar 2026 00:55:46 GMT60Tom Welke and Richard Doran<p>In this series of podcasts, we will uncover the 'real story' of AI in the mid market space by talking with Chief Information Officers, VP's of IT and Directors of IT to understand what is really happening with AI in the mid market space. We will also uncover that leaders are looking for when they create their SME or CoE AI team. Finally, we will assist candidates on what talents they should hone to help grow their careers and meet the demands of these CIOs, VPs and Directors of IT</p>episodicTom Welke and Richard Dorantom_welke@yahoo.comno<![CDATA[Adrienne Shulman discusses what's working, FOMO and FOBO, and Tools do not Equate to Transformation]]>Adrienne Schulman, co-founder of Tenger Ways, discusses the evolution of technology, the role of IT leadership in transformation, and the cultural shift in IT and engineering thinking. She emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of innovation and risk-taking, measuring success with a customer focus, and incentivizing innovation and risk-taking. Additionally, she highlights the value of trying new things, the impact of relationships and trust, and the role of tools in organizational transformation. The conversation covers a range of topics including legacy applications and data, tools and change management, change adaptability and AI, culture of experimentation, guardrails and continuous planning, iterative model and systems thinking, AI documentation and institutional knowledge, continuous everything and business transformation, and relationship skills and human connection. The speakers discuss the importance of historical knowledge, building relationships, change management, experimentation, and the role of AI in simplifying and transforming business processes. They also emphasize the value of human connection and the role of AI in enhancing it.

Takeaways

  • Creating a culture of innovation and risk-taking is essential for IT and engineering teams.
  • Measuring success with a customer focus and incentivizing innovation and risk-taking are key to driving organizational transformation. The importance of historical knowledge and relationships within an enterprise
  • The value of continuous planning, implementation, and delivery

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Adrienne's Career
  • 07:20 The Role of IT Leadership in Transformation
  • 13:35 FOMO and FOBO in the Mid-Market Space
  • 19:29 The Value of Trying New Things
  • 26:38 The Role of Tools in Organizational Transformation
  • 34:49 Tools and Change Management
  • 40:42 Guardrails and Continuous Planning
  • 47:36 AI Documentation and Institutional Knowledge
  • 53:32 Continuous Everything and Business Transformation
]]>080a84c3-5d98-4ca7-8e85-dd056f5e2259Wed, 17 Jun 2026 01:09:30 GMT<p>Adrienne Schulman, co-founder of Tenger Ways, discusses the evolution of technology, the role of IT leadership in transformation, and the cultural shift in IT and engineering thinking. She emphasizes the importance of creating a culture of innovation and risk-taking, measuring success with a customer focus, and incentivizing innovation and risk-taking. Additionally, she highlights the value of trying new things, the impact of relationships and trust, and the role of tools in organizational transformation. The conversation covers a range of topics including legacy applications and data, tools and change management, change adaptability and AI, culture of experimentation, guardrails and continuous planning, iterative model and systems thinking, AI documentation and institutional knowledge, continuous everything and business transformation, and relationship skills and human connection. The speakers discuss the importance of historical knowledge, building relationships, change management, experimentation, and the role of AI in simplifying and transforming business processes. They also emphasize the value of human connection and the role of AI in enhancing it.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Creating a culture of innovation and risk-taking is essential for IT and engineering teams.</li><li>Measuring success with a customer focus and incentivizing innovation and risk-taking are key to driving organizational transformation. The importance of historical knowledge and relationships within an enterprise</li><li>The value of continuous planning, implementation, and delivery</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Adrienne's Career</li><li>07:20 The Role of IT Leadership in Transformation</li><li>13:35 FOMO and FOBO in the Mid-Market Space</li><li>19:29 The Value of Trying New Things</li><li>26:38 The Role of Tools in Organizational Transformation</li><li>34:49 Tools and Change Management</li><li>40:42 Guardrails and Continuous Planning</li><li>47:36 AI Documentation and Institutional Knowledge</li><li>53:32 Continuous Everything and Business Transformation</li></ul>no00:58:2514Adrienne Shulman discusses what's working, FOMO and FOBO, and Tools do not Equate to Transformationfull<![CDATA[Jean Johnson discusses Ai in PE backed firms, strategic investment, and the seat at the big table]]>The conversation covers a range of topics, including the importance of a multivariate background, understanding the language of the organization, balancing quick wins with long-term work, defining worthy projects and speaking CFO, time value of money and ROI challenges, balancing quick AI wins with long-term data governance and change management, customer impact, efficiency, and revenue as project criteria, and lessons learned from working with PE firms. The conversation delves into the strategic investment in AI, the importance of defending points of view, evaluating AI initiatives, shielding from polished vendor traps, earning a seat at the table, and coaching and understanding business seasons. Key takeaways include the significance of speaking CFO, building trust, and strategic IT leadership in the context of AI projects and IT leadership roles.

Takeaways

  • Multivariate background
  • Understanding the language of other parts of the organization
  • Balancing quick wins with long-term work
  • Customer impact, efficiency, and revenue as project criteria
  • Modeling behavior for others
  • Nuances of speaking to a PE firm Speaking CFO
  • Building Trust
  • Strategic IT Leadership

Chapters

  • 00:00 Lessons Learned from Working with PE Firms
  • 34:34 Strategic Investment in AI
  • 40:08 Shielding from Polished Vendor Traps
  • 51:23 Earning a Seat at the Table
  • 01:02:09 Coaching and Understanding Business Seasons
]]>1b7b3f10-0bac-4ae4-aa3d-84528f0fab24Thu, 28 May 2026 14:26:09 GMT<p>The conversation covers a range of topics, including the importance of a multivariate background, understanding the language of the organization, balancing quick wins with long-term work, defining worthy projects and speaking CFO, time value of money and ROI challenges, balancing quick AI wins with long-term data governance and change management, customer impact, efficiency, and revenue as project criteria, and lessons learned from working with PE firms. The conversation delves into the strategic investment in AI, the importance of defending points of view, evaluating AI initiatives, shielding from polished vendor traps, earning a seat at the table, and coaching and understanding business seasons. Key takeaways include the significance of speaking CFO, building trust, and strategic IT leadership in the context of AI projects and IT leadership roles.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Multivariate background</li><li>Understanding the language of other parts of the organization</li><li>Balancing quick wins with long-term work</li><li>Customer impact, efficiency, and revenue as project criteria</li><li>Modeling behavior for others</li><li>Nuances of speaking to a PE firm Speaking CFO</li><li>Building Trust</li><li>Strategic IT Leadership</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Lessons Learned from Working with PE Firms</li><li>34:34 Strategic Investment in AI</li><li>40:08 Shielding from Polished Vendor Traps</li><li>51:23 Earning a Seat at the Table</li><li>01:02:09 Coaching and Understanding Business Seasons</li></ul>no01:08:2313Jean Johnson discusses Ai in PE backed firms, strategic investment, and the seat at the big tablefull<![CDATA[Ricki Koinig Discusses Human in the Loop, Watson, and Change Management for Ai Projects to Succeed]]>Ricky Koenig, a CIO with extensive IT experience, discusses the importance of human involvement in technology, the challenges of AI implementation, and the significance of data readiness and governance for AI evolution. He shares his experience with IBM Watson and AI failures, highlighting the impact of Central European corporate culture on AI decision-making. The conversation delves into the critical themes of the role in the loop, misconceptions about AI roles, role evolution and organizational readiness, the shiny object problem, and leadership, human-centric approach, and organizational mindset. It emphasizes the importance of the right role at the right time, problem-centric approach, and the need for new blood and new ideas. Additionally, it highlights the danger of shiny object syndrome and the impact of organizational mindset on innovations.

Takeaways

  • Human involvement is crucial in technology projects
  • Data readiness and governance are essential for successful AI evolution The importance of problem-centric approach in AI implementation
  • The need for celebrating small wins and the danger of shiny object syndrome

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Ricky Koenig
  • 05:41 Benefits and Misunderstandings of HCI and HIDL
  • 13:47 The Significance of Innovation Maturity
  • 18:54 The Impact of Idea Management on Innovation
  • 25:14 The Role of Innovation Maturity in AI Readiness
  • 35:19 Experience with IBM Watson and AI Failures
  • 42:14 The Impact of Central European Corporate Culture on AI Decision-Making
  • 55:28 Misconceptions About AI Roles
  • 01:01:34 Role Evolution and Organizational Readiness
  • 01:12:37 The Shiny Object Problem
]]>e8365d92-ee69-41c6-a03b-cb9222bc65d1Wed, 27 May 2026 22:14:10 GMT<p>Ricky Koenig, a CIO with extensive IT experience, discusses the importance of human involvement in technology, the challenges of AI implementation, and the significance of data readiness and governance for AI evolution. He shares his experience with IBM Watson and AI failures, highlighting the impact of Central European corporate culture on AI decision-making. The conversation delves into the critical themes of the role in the loop, misconceptions about AI roles, role evolution and organizational readiness, the shiny object problem, and leadership, human-centric approach, and organizational mindset. It emphasizes the importance of the right role at the right time, problem-centric approach, and the need for new blood and new ideas. Additionally, it highlights the danger of shiny object syndrome and the impact of organizational mindset on innovations.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Human involvement is crucial in technology projects</li><li>Data readiness and governance are essential for successful AI evolution The importance of problem-centric approach in AI implementation</li><li>The need for celebrating small wins and the danger of shiny object syndrome</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Ricky Koenig</li><li>05:41 Benefits and Misunderstandings of HCI and HIDL</li><li>13:47 The Significance of Innovation Maturity</li><li>18:54 The Impact of Idea Management on Innovation</li><li>25:14 The Role of Innovation Maturity in AI Readiness</li><li>35:19 Experience with IBM Watson and AI Failures</li><li>42:14 The Impact of Central European Corporate Culture on AI Decision-Making</li><li>55:28 Misconceptions About AI Roles</li><li>01:01:34 Role Evolution and Organizational Readiness</li><li>01:12:37 The Shiny Object Problem</li></ul>no01:18:5312Ricki Koinig Discusses Human in the Loop, Watson, and Change Management for Ai Projects to Succeedfull<![CDATA[Vidhya Belapure Discusses the Future of the CIO and Why AI projects Succeed and Fail]]>The conversation covers the evolution of the CIO role, emphasizing the shift from a service-oriented mandate to that of an advisor and strategic partner. It also highlights the importance of empathy in leadership, the challenges of AI implementation, and the talent gap in organizations. Additionally, it explores the building of a subject matter expertise team and the leadership skills required for the future CIO role. The conversation delves into the transition of CIOs to CEOs, the reasons behind AI project failures, success factors for AI projects, and the mid-market AI talent myth. It also explores the impact of AI on job roles and the importance of practical solutions over technology hype. The discussion emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset from technology solutions to problem-solving and the role of functional and institutional knowledge in AI projects.

Takeaways

  • Evolution of the CIO role
  • Importance of empathy in leadership CIOs transitioning to CEOs
  • AI project failures
  • Leadership challenges in AI projects
  • The impact of AI on job roles

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction and Career Background
  • 05:29 The Role of Empathy in Leadership
  • 20:19 AI Implementation and Talent Gap
  • 30:02 Leadership Skills and Future CIO Role
  • 35:38 CIOs Transitioning to CEOs
  • 41:00 Success Factors for AI Projects
]]>ebf1bf18-037c-4d89-97bf-a039047b9feeTue, 26 May 2026 00:27:43 GMT<p>The conversation covers the evolution of the CIO role, emphasizing the shift from a service-oriented mandate to that of an advisor and strategic partner. It also highlights the importance of empathy in leadership, the challenges of AI implementation, and the talent gap in organizations. Additionally, it explores the building of a subject matter expertise team and the leadership skills required for the future CIO role. The conversation delves into the transition of CIOs to CEOs, the reasons behind AI project failures, success factors for AI projects, and the mid-market AI talent myth. It also explores the impact of AI on job roles and the importance of practical solutions over technology hype. The discussion emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset from technology solutions to problem-solving and the role of functional and institutional knowledge in AI projects.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Evolution of the CIO role</li><li>Importance of empathy in leadership CIOs transitioning to CEOs</li><li>AI project failures</li><li>Leadership challenges in AI projects</li><li>The impact of AI on job roles</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction and Career Background</li><li>05:29 The Role of Empathy in Leadership</li><li>20:19 AI Implementation and Talent Gap</li><li>30:02 Leadership Skills and Future CIO Role</li><li>35:38 CIOs Transitioning to CEOs</li><li>41:00 Success Factors for AI Projects</li></ul>no01:08:1711Vidhya Belapure Discusses the Future of the CIO and Why AI projects Succeed and Failfull