Latest news with #businessTransformation
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How Can Voice AI Help You Reimagine Business Operations?
Naresh Prajapati - CEO/Founder, Azilen Technologies. San Francisco, CA. History shows how the unfiltered human voice can move nations and inspire generations. On August 28, 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech—raw, real and deeply human, without codes or filters. The power of his voice became a turning point in the civil rights movement. Today, voice—a tool of speeches, storytelling and military communication throughout history—is merging with AI to become an interface for an uplifted customer experience. No longer trapped in UX and CX layers, voice AI can be an effective tool for business transformation. However, it's important that we as business leaders make this shift without changing the very nature of voice or taking humans out of the loop. Voice AI As A Business Operating Layer For years, voice tech was boxed into narrow use cases around interactive voice response (IVR). However, voice AI has moved from being just an input method or customer service tool to providing a hands-free interface for interacting with systems, retrieving data and triggering workflows. For example, a supply chain manager walking through a warehouse can ask, "What's the current ETA for shipment 4987?" and get a voice response pulled directly from integrated ERP data. In this mode, voice AI can act as a contextually aware live interface to business systems. I believe the greatest advantage of voice AI is its potential to compress time and reduce friction. A spoken sentence can turn into a signal, which becomes data, which informs a decision. In essence, voice AI has developed into a lightweight "intelligent" command layer across heavy systems that can help organizations become more agile and responsive to human input. Human-In-The-Loop 2.0: From Replacement To Augmentation Human-in-the-Loop 2.0 is a more nuanced model, born out of the negative narrative that AI will replace humans. In truth, I have found that AI works best as a collaborator rather than a competitor. For example, while voice AI typically excels at processing vast streams of routine data and executing predictable tasks with speed, humans excel at contextual judgment, ethical reasoning and emotional intelligence. Similarly, humans can bring deep situational awareness and adaptability while voice AI provides continuous real-time data analysis and pattern recognition. By automating repetitive and time-consuming voice interactions, voice AI can function as a cognitive assistant to humans, offloading mental burden, reducing fatigue and freeing human workers to focus more on strategic initiatives. This shared cognition can transform workflows by creating synergy that would be difficult for either to achieve alone. Business Touchpoints Reimagined With Voice AI Effective voice AI today shouldn't just respond—it should be capable of initiating, able to listen and develop its responses based on fresh input. At its best, it can act as a dynamic presence across departments and transform business touchpoints. Here are a few examples across different industries: • Sales And BizOps: In these settings, reps often manually update CRMs and analyze pipeline performance. Consider using voice AI agents to call and qualify leads, log outcomes in CRM and analyze sales calls to extract objections, intent and competitor mentions. • Recruitment And People Ops: Recruiters spend hours screening candidates. Voice AI can conduct initial screening calls with candidates and even summarize soft-skill indicators. You can also program it to detect sentiment at scale. For example, I have found that voice AI can leverage natural language processing (NLP) and emotion detection algorithms to track an employee's tone, pace and hesitation to detect signs of stress or burnout. • Logistics And Supply Chain: Dispatch updates typically require calls, emails and manual issue-logging. Voice AI can be used to flag discrepancies, enable hands-free issue-reporting via voice-triggered workflows on the floors, and call vendors to confirm ETAs. • Healthcare And Life Sciences: Instead of having physicians update EMRs manually and document patient interactions post-consultation, you can utilize voice AI to transcribe doctor-patient conversations, extract medical terms and auto-update EMRs. • Banking And Insurance: Agents typically have to manually verify KYC, handle high call volumes and process claims with delays. Voice AI can be configured to automate KYC verifications, handle routine queries and detect fraud cues in voice tones and patterns during interactions. Using Systemic Thinking In Voice AI Adoption There are several factors that are important to consider if you want to get the most from voice AI: • Integrated Architecture: Voice AI is not plug-and-play. It demands seamless integration with existing systems, data pipelines and workflows. Start with strong APIs to connect your voice AI with tools like CRMs, ERPs or HR platforms. Using middleware like integration platform as a service (iPaaS) can help streamline data flow and reduce friction. One common challenge is data silos, which can limit a voice AI program's ability to respond with context, so make sure your data is unified and accessible. • Continuous Learning And Adaptation: Language evolves, contexts shift and users differ. In my experience, the success of voice AI relies on tuning NLP models and data flows. You can achieve this by retraining your voice AI regularly with real interaction data, setting up feedback loops, and upskilling internal teams in voice UX and model evaluation. • Ethical Transparency And Governance: Yes, voice AI's decisions can impact people, so it's important that you ensure trust, fairness and ethical use by establishing transparent rules and clear accountability for your voice AI programs. I recommend following the "explain, audit, protect" framework: • Always tell users when and how voice AI is being used in your processes. • Get clear, informed permission before collecting voice data. • Assign responsibility for outcomes. Conclusion Voice has always held power to move, to rally and to lead. Now, with AI, that power can be scaled more widely across systems, workflows and decisions. If we take the proper steps to implement voice AI intelligently and ethically, I believe it will give businesses greater power to create professional conversations that lead to contextual clarity. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Bain & Company announces senior leadership appointments in its Enterprise Technology practice
BOSTON, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bain & Company today announced senior leadership changes within its global Enterprise Technology (ET) practice, which supports the firm's clients worldwide in delivering accelerated business transformations by leveraging the most advanced technology platforms and solutions. With the rapidly evolving role of AI and fundamental technology innovations fueling tech-driven change across industries, Bain is continuing to see strong growth in client demand for its deep technology expertise. Tech- and AI-enabled revenue already accounts for more than 30% of the firm's business and is expected to reach half of revenues in coming years. The firm's new Enterprise Technology practice leadership team will play a pivotal role in the continuing development of its ET capabilities and its broader tech-related support for clients. Bain announced today that Pascal Gautheron will take over as the global leader of its Enterprise Technology practice, succeeding Stephen Phillips, who has headed the firm's global ET team for the past seven years. Phillips becomes chairman of the ET practice, working directly with Bain's clients and market-facing forums to raise awareness of enterprise technology's full potential. Gautheron takes over the global leadership position having previously served as head of the ET practice in Asia-Pacific (APAC). He brings to his new role more than 27 years of experience in shaping some of the region's largest technology-enabled business transformations, particularly in the banking and financial services sector. Since joining Bain in 2017, Gautheron has supported multiple clients in developing and implementing successful digital and core systems transformations, next-generation technology architectures, agile at scale, and leading-edge AI deployments. Having previously been based in Sydney, Australia, and having begun his career as an engineer in Stuttgart and Paris, and with an MBA from the HEC Paris Business School, Gautheron will return to those roots to lead Bain's ET practice from the firm's Paris office. In further key changes in Bain's regional ET leadership, the firm also announced today that Damian Stephenson replaces Gautheron as regional leader of the ET practice in APAC. Based in Sydney, Stephenson has spent nearly 20 years at Bain (both in APAC and North America). He specializes in supporting clients in all industries to pursue technology modernization and technology-led strategy and transformation. Stephenson is also a leader in the firm's Financial Services and M&A practices. Laurent Hermoye becomes regional leader for ET in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), succeeding Marc van der Vleugel. Brussels-based Hermoye brings two decades' experience in shaping and delivering large-scale digital transformations, particularly in the consumer brands sector. Major business transformations he has led have involved large-scale initiatives enabled by enterprise resource planning (ERP), digital marketing, commerce, and operations enhancements, as well as post-merger integrations and separations. He has also led multiple technology and AI strategies, operating model redesign programs, and cost transformations. Hermoye also serves as chairman of Enterprise Blueprints, a Bain company providing enterprise and solution architecture services. Denver-based partner Will Poindexter continues to serve as regional leader for ET in the Americas (AMER). Chuck Whitten, partner and global head of Bain's digital practices and capabilities, commented: 'With investment in AI and data now a paramount priority for companies across industries, the new Enterprise Technology leadership announced today will further accelerate our work to bring the power of cutting-edge technologies to help our clients solve some of the most complex business challenges. More than just identifying the best means for technology to benefit a business, today companies need to reinvent entire business models and value chains atop their tech infrastructures. Our new ET leaders will enable our clients to lead the field in grasping these critical business challenges.' Whitten added: 'With today's transition, I want to thank Stephen Phillips and recognize the outstanding contribution to Bain that he has made over more than two decades in leadership roles in our Enterprise Technology team. Stephen has been the guiding hand in the rapid growth of the ET practice through those years, in developing the breadth and depth of its capabilities, its expertise, and its people – and in bringing the very best of Bain to deliver industry-leading results for our clients. I'm delighted that, as ET practice chairman, Stephen will be playing a continuing and central role in the world-class work our ET team is bringing to clients around the globe every day.' Bain & Company's global Enterprise Technology practice consists of a team of more than 1,500 multidisciplinary experts including data scientists, architects, software engineers, innovators and designers. Along with nearly two-dozen focused partnerships with some of today's most renowned technology firms, Bain's ET team equips client businesses with market-leading capabilities to power growth and accelerate value creation. Media contacts: Dan Pinkney (Boston) — [email protected] Amanda Folsom (Boston) — [email protected] Gary Duncan (London) — [email protected] Ann Lee (Singapore) — [email protected] About Bain & Company Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future. Across 65 cities in 40 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a platinum rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 1% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Bain & Company
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Bain & Company announces senior leadership appointments in its Enterprise Technology practice
Middle East — Bain & Company today announced senior leadership changes within its global Enterprise Technology (ET) practice, which supports the firm's clients worldwide in delivering accelerated business transformations by leveraging the most advanced technology platforms and solutions. With the rapidly evolving role of AI and fundamental technology innovations fueling tech-driven change across industries, Bain is continuing to see strong growth in client demand for its deep technology expertise. Tech- and AI-enabled revenue already accounts for more than 30% of the firm's business and is expected to reach half of revenues in coming years. The firm's new Enterprise Technology practice leadership team will play a pivotal role in the continuing development of its ET capabilities and its broader tech-related support for clients. Bain announced today that Pascal Gautheron will take over as the global leader of its Enterprise Technology practice, succeeding Stephen Phillips, who has headed the firm's global ET team for the past seven years. Phillips becomes chairman of the ET practice, working directly with Bain's clients and market-facing forums to raise awareness of enterprise technology's full potential. Gautheron takes over the global leadership position having previously served as head of the ET practice in Asia-Pacific (APAC). He brings to his new role more than 27 years of experience in shaping some of the region's largest technology-enabled business transformations, particularly in the banking and financial services sector. Since joining Bain in 2017, Gautheron has supported multiple clients in developing and implementing successful digital and core systems transformations, next-generation technology architectures, agile at scale, and leading-edge AI deployments. Having previously been based in Sydney, Australia, and having begun his career as an engineer in Stuttgart and Paris, and with an MBA from the HEC Paris Business School, Gautheron will return to those roots to lead Bain's ET practice from the firm's Paris office. In further key changes in Bain's regional ET leadership, the firm also announced today that Damian Stephenson replaces Gautheron as regional leader of the ET practice in APAC. Based in Sydney, Stephenson has spent nearly 20 years at Bain (both in APAC and North America). He specializes in supporting clients in all industries to pursue technology modernization and technology-led strategy and transformation. Stephenson is also a leader in the firm's Financial Services and M&A practices. Laurent Hermoye becomes regional leader for ET in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), succeeding Marc van der Vleugel. Brussels-based Hermoye brings two decades' experience in shaping and delivering large-scale digital transformations, particularly in the consumer brands sector. Major business transformations he has led have involved large-scale initiatives enabled by enterprise resource planning (ERP), digital marketing, commerce, and operations enhancements, as well as post-merger integrations and separations. He has also led multiple technology and AI strategies, operating model redesign programs, and cost transformations. Hermoye also serves as chairman of Enterprise Blueprints, a Bain company providing enterprise and solution architecture services. Denver-based partner Will Poindexter continues to serve as regional leader for ET in the Americas (AMER). Chuck Whitten, partner and global head of Bain's digital practices and capabilities, commented: 'With investment in AI and data now a paramount priority for companies across industries, the new Enterprise Technology leadership announced today will further accelerate our work to bring the power of cutting-edge technologies to help our clients solve some of the most complex business challenges. More than just identifying the best means for technology to benefit a business, today companies need to reinvent entire business models and value chains atop their tech infrastructures. Our new ET leaders will enable our clients to lead the field in grasping these critical business challenges.' Whitten added: 'With today's transition, I want to thank Stephen Phillips and recognize the outstanding contribution to Bain that he has made over more than two decades in leadership roles in our Enterprise Technology team. Stephen has been the guiding hand in the rapid growth of the ET practice through those years, in developing the breadth and depth of its capabilities, its expertise, and its people – and in bringing the very best of Bain to deliver industry-leading results for our clients. I'm delighted that, as ET practice chairman, Stephen will be playing a continuing and central role in the world-class work our ET team are bringing to clients around the globe every day.' Bain & Company's global Enterprise Technology practice consists of a team of more than 1,500 multidisciplinary experts including data scientists, architects, software engineers, innovators and designers. Along with nearly two-dozen focused partnerships with some of today's most renowned technology firms, Bain's ET team equip client businesses with market-leading capabilities to power growth and accelerate value creation. -Ends- Media contacts: Christine Abi Assi – christine@ About Bain & Company Bain & Company is a global consultancy that helps the world's most ambitious change makers define the future. Across 65 cities in 40 countries, we work alongside our clients as one team with a shared ambition to achieve extraordinary results, outperform the competition, and redefine industries. We complement our tailored, integrated expertise with a vibrant ecosystem of digital innovators to deliver better, faster, and more enduring outcomes. Our 10-year commitment to invest more than $1 billion in pro bono services brings our talent, expertise, and insight to organizations tackling today's urgent challenges in education, racial equity, social justice, economic development, and the environment. We earned a platinum rating from EcoVadis, the leading platform for environmental, social, and ethical performance ratings for global supply chains, putting us in the top 1% of all companies. Since our founding in 1973, we have measured our success by the success of our clients, and we proudly maintain the highest level of client advocacy in the industry.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bear of the Day: DXC Technology (DXC)
DXC Technology (DXC) has struggled to gain traction in recent years, as persistent revenue declines and a sluggish business transformation have weighed heavily on both its fundamentals and its stock price. Once a major player in IT services, the company has seen its sales fall steadily, leading to stagnation and underperformance in a sector that's otherwise full of innovation and growth. The stock has dropped nearly 30% year-to-date and is down more than 65% since 2021, reflecting a prolonged period of investor disappointment. Analyst sentiment has continued to deteriorate as well, pushing DXC down to a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) rating. While management has laid out a strategy to pivot away from legacy infrastructure services and toward higher-growth digital and cloud offerings, the turnaround has been slow to materialize. There may be potential in the longer term, but for now, the company remains in a difficult position. Until investors see clear signs of stabilization and renewed growth, DXC is a stock best left on the sidelines. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research DXC Technology's prolonged decline in revenue continues to be a major overhang for the stock. Annual sales have dropped significantly—from approximately $22 billion in 2018 to just $12.8 billion over the trailing twelve months, a nearly 42% decline that reflects the company's struggle to transition away from its legacy business model. Unfortunately, the outlook doesn't suggest a turnaround is imminent. Analysts expect revenue to decline another 4.5% in the current fiscal year, followed by an additional 2.8% decline next year, indicating that demand for DXC's core offerings remains under pressure despite management's transformation efforts. Adding to the bearish case, analyst sentiment around profitability has worsened. Over the past 60 days, consensus earnings estimates have been revised downward—current year EPS estimates have fallen by 7.9%, while next year's projections have dropped by 9.3%. This steady erosion of expectations signals broad skepticism among analysts and institutional investors about the company's near-term ability to stabilize or grow earnings. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Technical weakness is compounding DXC Technology's fundamental challenges, with selling pressure intensifying in recent sessions. On Friday, the stock was hit particularly hard, closing sharply lower with bearing mometnum pickin up. Shares are now hovering just above a critical support level near $14.20. If DXC fails to hold this level, it could trigger a technical breakdown, opening the door to another wave of selling. A decisive move below this support zone would confirm the downtrend and could send the stock cascading to new multi-year lows. With no strong bullish catalysts in sight, the path of least resistance appears to be lower unless a significant reversal develops soon. Image Source: TradingView Given its declining fundamentals, weakening technical setup, and continued negative analyst sentiment, DXC remains a high-risk name with limited near-term upside. Until the company proves it can stabilize revenue and execute its transformation strategy more effectively, investors are likely better off staying on the sidelines. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report DXC Technology Company. (DXC) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Bloomberg
07-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Restructuring Pressure Rises in Italy and Nordics, BCG Says
The number of firms under pressure to overhaul or restructure their businesses has risen sharply in Italy and the Nordics, putting both large companies and their supplier networks at risk, according to a report by Boston Consulting Group. A BCG assessment of 1,700 public European corporates published Tuesday found that 15% of Italian firms show early signs of weakening operational performance and stability, roughly twice as many as in 2024. The share of Nordic companies facing the same 'transformation pressure' increased four percentage points to 20%.
