Latest news with #operationalExcellence
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Building The Future Of ITSM: Putting People At The Heart Of Excellence
Ernest Toh, experienced tech leader with 20+ years, driving operational excellence and enhancing business efficiency across industries. The concept of information technology service management (ITSM) has been around for many years. ITSM has evolved from a reactive incident management approach to a more proactive end-to-end ecosystem that aligns with the business objectives. From what I've seen over the course of my career, in the early days, organizations focused on resolving IT incidents and often operated in silos. Today, ITSM has evolved to support IT services and align with other business functions, thereby supporting the organization's overall business goals. Nowadays, multiple frameworks in the market provide best practices for managing IT services throughout their lifecycle, which helps organizations align their IT with business needs, thereby improving the efficiency and predictability of service delivery. Emerging Technology With emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins and the internet of things (IoT), organizations can offer more value more efficiently, potentially leading to cost savings. To achieve cost-effectiveness, many organizations face tremendous pressure to innovate with their services and products using these emerging technologies. It is estimated that overall IT spending will increase by 9.8% between 2024 and 2025. According to Gartner, agentic AI is forecasted to be the top technology trend in 2025. However, before investing resources in these emerging technologies, organizations should ask themselves how AI can help them achieve their short-term and long-term goals. Leaders should be clear about their objectives and whether they provide value to both their customers and shareholders. For example, in the context of ITSM, experienced leaders should be able to identify how the services their team provides can be better streamlined to deliver value to the customer and achieve competitive advantages through waste elimination and resource optimization. They must identify where emerging technologies such as agentic AI can be integrated to achieve those goals. Drawing from my experience, I have observed that when leaders possess a deep understanding of their domain and a clear insight into customer needs, organizations are better positioned to maximize resources and deliver exceptional value. This strong foundation not only enhances operational efficiency but also drives sustainable competitive advantage. How Can AI Help You? The question is not so much about whether a company should embark on an AI wave. Instead, the company should ask itself what its current business model is, what its business vision and long-term goals are and how AI can help it achieve those goals. There are already many use cases that utilize emerging technologies in the ITSM process. This includes AI-powered virtual assistants that help users reset passwords, detect and resolve incidents proactively and automatically and more. To ensure their AI initiatives are effective, companies should devote a reasonable amount of time and effort to change management. According to McKinsey, for every $1 spent on developing a GenAI model, companies should spend $3 on change management. Today, there are many open-source large language models (LLMs) available for commercial use (provided companies comply with special licenses for their respective models). Although this might help organizations adopt emerging technology more quickly, there are other pitfalls that organizations should not overlook. This includes integrating AI with existing ITSM tools and workflows. Organizations that fail to integrate AI solutions with their existing ITSM platforms may delay or derail their deployment efforts, ultimately demoralizing their teams. To have a sound AI system, we know that high-quality, consistent data remains one essential factor. Poor data quality can lead to inaccurate AI output, undermining trust and effectiveness. Cultural resistance and change management are other critical factors I've seen hinder an effective AI solution. Leaders need to ensure that employees receive explicit messages about what a new AI deployment means for them and how they can be involved in the AI journey. On top of all of this, the ethical use of AI, security and privacy are other essential factors all businesses consider. Organizations must ensure that their AI solutions comply with local regulations. The impact of a security breach involves both monetary (penalties from local regulators) and non-monetary consequences (brand damage). The Future Of AI Innovation: Human-Centered Design Embracing emerging technology is a journey. To achieve a sustainable solution, organizations must ensure that their products and services continue to meet customers' needs. I've seen how ITSM has evolved over the years; it is a progressive digital transformation that significantly reduces human dependency, enabling ITSM systems to operate as autonomous entities that make decisions and manage complex, decentralized and hybrid IT environments. In light of all of this, organizations still need to recognize that people drive technology. Therefore, human-centered design must be a key part of all technology initiatives. ITSM can only continue to adapt to technological advances by having people at its center—whether in technology or organizational strategy. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
IFF Opens New State-of-the-art Office in Hyderabad, India
Newly constructed site reflects the Company's commitment to scaling its global business services operations. HYDERABAD, India, June 23, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--IFF (NYSE: IFF)--a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health and biosciences—has officially relocated its Global Business Services (GBS) center in Hyderabad to a newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility. This move marks a significant step in IFF's strategy to drive operational excellence and innovation through agile corporate functions. The new 75,000 sq. ft. office located in Hyderabad's prime financial district, is designed to accommodate up to 600 employees. It features cutting-edge infrastructure, collaborative workspaces and advanced technologies that support IFF's global operations. "This move enables us to serve our customers with greater speed, efficiency and purpose, while advancing strategic growth and sustainability," said Mike DeVeau, IFF CFO. "It's a reflection of our commitment to building a future-ready, innovation-driven workplace. The heart of Hyderabad is also rich in tradition and modernity, which is an energy that fuels our mission to make joy through science, creativity and heart." The Hyderabad center joins a growing network of IFF innovation and business hubs worldwide. It is well positioned to tap into the region's vibrant tech ecosystem and deep talent pool. The facility includes an Innovation Studio for experimentation in automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, with further enhancements planned to boost productivity and collaboration. Sustainability and inclusivity are at the heart of the design. The office incorporates solar lighting, rainwater harvesting and is on track for LEED Gold certification. It also features high-speed connectivity, advanced security systems and ergonomic, flexible workspaces tailored to diverse work styles. "Our people are our greatest asset," said Deborah Borg, IFF Chief People & Culture Officer. "The new center was thoughtfully designed to provide a welcoming space for collaboration, wellness and innovation. This vibrant new office in one of IFF's key markets will be an important enabler to supporting future growth in India and for the company globally." Welcome to IFFAt IFF (NYSE: IFF), we make joy through science, creativity and heart. As the global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health and biosciences, we deliver groundbreaking, sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products—advancing wellness, delighting the senses and enhancing the human experience. Learn more at LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. © 2025 by International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. IFF is a Registered Trademark. All Rights Reserved. View source version on Contacts Media Relations:Paulina Investor Relations:Michael 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
National Post
23-06-2025
- Business
- National Post
IFF Opens New State-of-the-art Office in Hyderabad, India
Article content Newly constructed site reflects the Company's commitment to scaling its global business services operations. Article content HYDERABAD, India — IFF (NYSE: IFF)–a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health and biosciences—has officially relocated its Global Business Services (GBS) center in Hyderabad to a newly constructed, state-of-the-art facility. This move marks a significant step in IFF's strategy to drive operational excellence and innovation through agile corporate functions. The new 75,000 sq. ft. office located in Hyderabad's prime financial district, is designed to accommodate up to 600 employees. It features cutting-edge infrastructure, collaborative workspaces and advanced technologies that support IFF's global operations. Article content 'This move enables us to serve our customers with greater speed, efficiency and purpose, while advancing strategic growth and sustainability,' said Mike DeVeau, IFF CFO. 'It's a reflection of our commitment to building a future-ready, innovation-driven workplace. The heart of Hyderabad is also rich in tradition and modernity, which is an energy that fuels our mission to make joy through science, creativity and heart.' Article content The Hyderabad center joins a growing network of IFF innovation and business hubs worldwide. It is well positioned to tap into the region's vibrant tech ecosystem and deep talent pool. The facility includes an Innovation Studio for experimentation in automation, robotics and artificial intelligence, with further enhancements planned to boost productivity and collaboration. Sustainability and inclusivity are at the heart of the design. The office incorporates solar lighting, rainwater harvesting and is on track for LEED Gold certification. It also features high-speed connectivity, advanced security systems and ergonomic, flexible workspaces tailored to diverse work styles. Article content 'Our people are our greatest asset,' said Deborah Borg, IFF Chief People & Culture Officer. 'The new center was thoughtfully designed to provide a welcoming space for collaboration, wellness and innovation. This vibrant new office in one of IFF's key markets will be an important enabler to supporting future growth in India and for the company globally.' Article content Welcome to IFF Article content At IFF (NYSE: IFF), we make joy through science, creativity and heart. As the global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients, health and biosciences, we deliver groundbreaking, sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products—advancing wellness, delighting the senses and enhancing the human experience. Article content Article content , Article content LinkedIn Article content , Article content Instagram Article content and Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts
Forbes
17-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
4 Reasons Resilience Has Replaced Cost-Cutting As The New Efficiency
At EXCELR8, we have spent considerable time working closely with clients and customers in the manufacturing industry. For the better part of three decades, offshoring was considered the gold standard of operational efficiency. By sending manufacturing overseas, companies gained access to lower labor costs, lighter regulations, and the illusion of unshakable profit margins. Between 2000 and 2010 alone, an estimated 3 million American jobs shifted offshore, according to Supply Chain Management Review. Energy followed a similar trajectory—imported cheaply, managed remotely, and rarely a strategic focus unless prices spiked. And while those decisions once looked rational on paper, the fragility of that globalized model has since been exposed. The last few years shattered the illusion of stability. Pandemic-fueled supply chain collapses, energy volatility driven by war and geopolitics, and cascading material shortages revealed a truth long ignored: proximity matters. Control matters. Resilience matters. And now—smart, forward-thinking leaders are taking notice. This shift isn't about rolling back globalization. It's about redefining what operational excellence means in a world where risk moves faster than your supply chain can react. True efficiency in today's environment is rooted in resilience and powered by intelligence. It's not just about lowering costs—it's about building systems that can absorb shocks, adapt to change, and sustain momentum. It's the difference between waiting six months for a part that used to arrive in six days—or producing it locally, with speed, precision, and the agility to innovate in real time. Reshoring manufacturing creates more than logistical convenience. It creates a competitive advantage. You're no longer separated from your operations by twelve time zones and 3,000 miles. You can walk the floor, spot inefficiencies, test innovations, and optimize processes on the fly. You move from reactive firefighting to proactive value creation. As my colleague Michael McLaren, CEO of Safe & Green Holdings Corp. puts it, 'We've had an incredible surge in clients coming back to us saying, 'We want this manufactured here.' That's thanks in large part to tariffs—and a renewed desire to bring jobs back onshore. There's a real sense of pride again in buying American, and companies are starting to put their money where their values are.' The rise of smart manufacturing—driven by automation, robotics, AI, and digital twins—makes reshoring not only viable but transformative. Leaders who embrace these technologies aren't just bringing jobs home—they're reimagining what productivity and innovation look like on U.S. soil. When you digitize the factory floor, you unlock real-time analytics, predictive maintenance, and continuous improvement at scale. When AI augments supply chain decision-making, you eliminate guesswork. And when intelligent platforms track workforce performance, safety, and output simultaneously, you build a system that learns, adapts, and scales. The result? A modern manufacturing ecosystem that's leaner, smarter, and built to last. The conversation around energy must also evolve. This is another sector my company works closely with. The binary framing—fossil fuels vs. renewables—is outdated. The real opportunity lies in innovation: technologically advanced, cleaner, and more adaptive energy systems. Companies like Safe & Green are leading the way—investing in distributed energy generation like solar, wind, battery storage, and even efficient natural gas microgrids. As McLaren notes, 'People tell me oil is just a carbon footprint. But you don't have to create more emissions in production. You can produce it properly, efficiently, and with far less environmental impact than people assume.' This isn't greenwashing. It's strategic adaptation—a recognition that domestic energy, when developed with the right tech stack and standards, becomes a cornerstone of national strength. The primary resistance to reshoring often sounds the same: 'It's too expensive.' But that's a short-term lens on a long-term game. The real cost of overseas dependence only reveals itself in moments of crisis. Delays, tariffs, labor disruptions, and transportation volatility eat away at margins, flexibility, and brand reputation. Reshoring, on the other hand, brings cost predictability, operational transparency, and innovation readiness—not to mention the reputational benefit of supporting American workers. As Global Partner Solutions points out, 'The financial benefits of distant production are shrinking. Reshoring can lead to greater cost predictability, as domestic manufacturers face fewer tariff challenges and more stable shipping costs.' And the economic impact is real. According to American Clean Power, reshored manufacturing facilities contribute $33 billion in domestic spending annually and create jobs that pay $42,000 more than the national average. This isn't nostalgia—it's strategy. Bringing manufacturing and energy production back home isn't about turning back the clock. It's about reclaiming control, embedding intelligence into operations, and designing systems for a future defined by speed, uncertainty, and technological acceleration. It's not just about cost. It's about capability. Sustainability. Agility. It's not political. It's productive. And above all, it's a call to action for leaders willing to trade short-term convenience for long-term strength—the kind of leadership that knows when the world gets more fragile, the bold get more innovative.
Al Bawaba
17-06-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Bank of Jordan Receives the Quality Choice Prize 2025 from the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR)
Bank of Jordan has been honored with the 2025 Quality Choice Prize by the European Society for Quality Research (ESQR), based in Lausanne, Switzerland. This prestigious award recognizes the bank's exceptional implementation of comprehensive quality practices, its adherence to international standards in banking services, and its continued efforts to foster a workplace culture rooted in empowerment and ESQR Quality Choice Prize is among the most distinguished international accolades granted to organizations that exemplify a commitment to total quality management and demonstrate outstanding performance in leadership and institutional innovation. Bank of Jordan was selected for this recognition through a comprehensive nomination and voting process, which incorporated feedback from previous prize recipients, companies across diverse sectors, as well as market research and surveys. The results highlighted Bank of Jordan as a benchmark in operational excellence and institutional performance, earning widespread respect within the banking and corporate achievement reflects over six decades of strategic vision and dedicated service. It underscores the bank's steadfast commitment to strengthening its competitive edge, investing in human capital, and upholding the principles of transparency, governance, and social and environmental of Jordan received the accolade during an official ceremony held in Stockholm, Sweden, on 29 May, 2025. The event gathered a distinguished audience of global leaders and quality experts, reinforcing the bank's status as a forward-thinking institution committed to excellence, innovation, and sustainable growth in the banking industry. Founded in 1960, Bank of Jordan is one of the Kingdom's oldest and most venerated financial institutions. Today, it operates regionally in Bahrain, Syria, Iraq, and Palestine, with plans for further expansion. The bank continues to deliver integrated financial services tailored to the needs of individuals and businesses, playing a vital role in driving economic development across the markets it serves.
