Microsoft Cloud Executive Enablement Series

In this Microsoft Cloud Executive Enablement Series episode, host Karuana Gatimu, Principal Manager for the Microsoft 365 Customer Advocacy Group, is joined by Jesse Alleyne, Industry Leader of Manufacturing at Microsoft. Karuana and Jesse discuss Microsoft's focus on customer initiatives and the shift towards a new era marked by AI. The conversation covers AI initiatives in customer experience, operations, and productivity, focusing on generative AI. Call center optimization, product design, and factory floor efficiency are explored, showcasing the transformative potential of AI. The discussion also addresses challenges and risks associated with AI adoption, emphasizing the importance of people and change management, technology governance, and data quality. Allen recommends staying updated through Microsoft blogs and the partner ecosystem.    In This Episode You Will Learn:     A focus on individuals amidst technological transitions Insights into the intersection of AI and manufacturing The long-term opportunity in the manufacturing sector from Microsoft  Some Questions We Ask:     How do you help partners address customer objections to this evolution? What AI initiatives and technologies play in this space? How will AI in manufacturing enhance call center interactions and improve product design?   Resources:   View Jesse Alleyne on LinkedIn View Karuana Gatimu on LinkedIn Watch the full video episode on YouTube.      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Download the Transcript

In this Microsoft Cloud Executive Enablement Series episode, host Karuana Gatimu, Principal Manager for the Microsoft 365 Customer Advocacy Group, is joined by Carlos Herquinio, Partner Marketing Lead for Cloud for Retail at Microsoft. Karuana and Carlos discuss Microsoft Cloud for Retail, which aims to accelerate business growth by providing comprehensive capabilities tailored to the retail sector. The conversation delves into the challenges the retail industry faces post-pandemic, underlining the importance of workforce transformation and the need for technology to enable faster adaptation. Carlos highlights the role of artificial intelligence in transforming retail, bringing automation and new ways of engaging with customers.     In This Episode You Will Learn:     How AI is revolutionizing traditional retail practices New tools and technologies, including remote and in-store work capabilities Ways to improve supply chain visibility and inventory management  Some Questions We Ask:     In what ways are retail workers being empowered in this new era? What are the advancements in supply chain optimization? Does sustainability play a role in retail, and how is it being addressed?   Resources:   View Carlos Herquinio on LinkedIn View Karuana Gatimu on LinkedIn  Watch the full video episode on YouTube.      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Download the Transcript

In this Microsoft Cloud Executive Enablement Series episode, host Karuana Gatimu, Principal Manager for the Microsoft 365 Customer Advocacy Group, is joined by Alec Saunders, the Worldwide Sustainability Partner Strategy Leader for Microsoft. Alec highlights the massive business opportunity in sustainability, emphasizing the urgency of quickly transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity. He discusses the role of data and AI in addressing sustainability challenges, citing examples such as moving workloads to the Azure cloud, supply chain optimization, and building data estates for sustainability data. Alec also stresses the importance of culture change and skilling in sustainability initiatives. He shares real-world examples of partners making a significant impact, such as reducing carbon footprints through cloud migration and implementing AI models for efficient grid management.  In This Episode You Will Learn:  Opportunities for software and services partners in the sustainability spacePotential risks and challenges associated with increased compute usageWhy you should be choosing data centers with clean energy sourcesSome Questions We Ask:  What are some real-world examples of AI and sustainability?How can transitioning from fossil fuels to electricity be a massive business opportunity?Is AI solving sustainability problems, such as managing emissions?  Resources: View Alec Saunders on LinkedInView Karuana Gatimu on LinkedInWatch the full video episode on YouTube.   Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcastsDownload the Transcript

In this Microsoft Cloud Executive Enablement Series episode, host Karuana Gatimu, Principal Manager for the Microsoft 365 Customer Advocacy Group, is joined by Kathy VanEnkevort, Industry Leader of US Health & Life Sciences. Kathy highlights the transformative power of AI in bringing together various data sources, such as clinical, imaging, pathology, and genomics data, to uncover insights. She shares examples of how AI can assist in diagnosing rare diseases, streamline workflows, and enhance decision-making in healthcare. The conversation also delves into the changing landscape of healthcare, including the impact of AI on different generations' healthcare preferences.      In This Episode You Will Learn:     The intersection of healthcare and artificial intelligence Potential for AI to address challenges in healthcare and improve health equity The importance of collaboration and trust in adopting AI solutions in healthcare  Some Questions We Ask:      What's it like running the health and life sciences industry team at Microsoft?  How can companies grow based on the advantages AI will give them?  What changes from AI will professionals see first in the healthcare industry?    Resources:   View Kathy VanEnkevort on LinkedIn View Karuana Gatimu on LinkedIn Watch the full video episode on YouTube    Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Download the Transcript

In this Microsoft Cloud Executive Enablement Series episode, host Karuana Gatimu, Principal Manager for the Microsoft 365 Customer Advocacy Group, is joined by Anu Chawla, Senior Director of Partner Development. The conversation focuses on the impact of AI, particularly generative AI, in the financial services sector. Anu highlights how AI transforms customer experiences, making them more personalized, intimate, and relevant. The discussion touches on the challenges in the banking industry, the importance of responsible AI, and the role of technology in reaching unbanked populations globally.    In This Episode You Will Learn:     How AI is coming in and driving sustainability When to avoid making decisions based on inaccurate or biased data How Generative AI technology is making banking more inclusive  Some Questions We Ask:     What are you seeing that our partners should think about taking advantage of? How will you address a customer problem without knowing that customer deeply? What challenges do you see for our partners as they try to lean into this opportunity?   Resources:   View Anu Chawla on LinkedIn  View Karuana Gatimu on LinkedIn Watch the full video episode on YouTube      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Download the Transcript

In this Microsoft Cloud Executive Enablement Series episode, host Jason Langlais, the Global Enterprise Partner Co-Sell Sales Execution Leader, is joined by Kelly Rogan, CVP of Global System Integrators at Microsoft. Kelly and Jason discuss critical priorities for their team, emphasizing building capability, accelerating co-selling, and enabling partner-led industry wins. They highlight a one-strategy approach with industry and partner teams for transparent collaboration. The discussion delves into growth strategies, including success through solution areas, IP prioritization, and repeatability.       In This Episode You Will Learn:     How AI is transforming industries for Microsoft partners Collaboration strategies between Microsoft and partners across different industries When Microsoft's innovations in AI can effectively be utilized with partners  Some Questions We Ask:     How have partners successfully utilized Microsoft's AI tools or strategies? Can this new AI drive productivity and also enhance data estate and security? What should Microsoft's priorities be when enabling partner-led industry wins?     Resources:   View Jason Langlais on LinkedIn View Kelly Rogan on LinkedIn  Watch the full video episode on YouTube      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Download the Transcript

In this Microsoft Cloud Executive Enablement Series episode, host Zia Mansoor, CVP of Data and AI at Microsoft, is joined by Jessica Hawk, CVP of Data, AI, and Digital Apps Product Marketing. Zia and Jessica discuss the benefits of AI in various areas, including information retrieval, customer interactions, and risk management, stressing the collaboration with partners and highlighting the opportunities for businesses to leverage AI for innovation. They also cover the importance of data ownership and control, ensuring customer data is not used to train or enrich foundational models, and how security, privacy, and compliance are critical considerations in Microsoft's approach to AI.     In This Episode You Will Learn:     Microsoft's commitment to AI, trust, and responsible AI practices Challenges organizations face in managing and unifying their data The importance of investing in the right technology and resources  Some Questions We Ask:     How is AI viewed as a force multiplier enabling us to do more? Why is collaboration considered unique and crucial for Microsoft's success? What does Microsoft envision for the future regarding analytics and AI transformation?   Resources:   View Jessica Hawk on LinkedIn   View Zia Mansoor on LinkedIn Watch the full video episode on YouTube      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Download the Transcript

In this Microsoft Cloud Executive Enablement Series episode, host Justin Slade, Global Partner Enablement Strategy Director at Microsoft, is joined by Amir Netz, Technical Fellow and CTO of Microsoft Fabric. Justin and Amir discuss integrating Power BI into Fabric, with every Power BI tenant automatically becoming a Fabric tenant with an opportunity for partners to skill up and tap into the broader set of features Fabric offers. The conversation covers the technical and affordability of Fabric with a low entry point of $160 per month for the entire organization, making it accessible for partners and opening doors to a broader range of customers. Justin and Amir provide insights into Microsoft Fabric, its capabilities, and the opportunities it presents for partners in the analytics and AI space.     In This Episode You Will Learn:     Fabric's ability to offer a complete, integrated solution for analytics The significance of Fabric in the context of generative AI Potential to monetize generative AI by offering services to customers  Some Questions We Ask:     What makes Fabric unique and special in the data space? How has the response been to Fabric during the preview period? Can partners expand their offerings to existing Power BI customers with Fabric?   Resources:   View Amir Netz on LinkedIn View Justin Slade on LinkedIn Watch the full video episode on YouTube      Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts at microsoft.com/podcasts Download the Transcript