Heartbeat: by Mike Sommer

If you don’t fix the fundamentals, you merely accelerate chaos. Salesforce AI readiness starts with data quality, process clarity, and governance—not demos. Everyone wants to “buy AI,” but few CIOs are willing to do the unglamorous work of fixing the Salesforce data and operating discipline that AI depends on. In this episode of Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs, Mike Sommer sits down with Phi...

Most “digital transformation” programs don’t fail because the technology is wrong. They fail because leadership can’t explain—clearly—what outcome the business is trying to produce, what process creates it, and who owns the truth when the tools change. In this episode, Mike Sommer sits down with Piotr Mlodecki, a global transformation leader in the Salesforce ecosystem, to name the quiet problem C...

Stop obsessing over being “more strategic”—start building a team people would actually choose to follow if titles disappeared tomorrow. Most leadership advice teaches you how to act like a leader. In this episode of Heartbeat, I sit down with speaker, coach, and author Antonio Neves (Stop Trying to Be a Leader) to unpack how to become someone people actually want to follow—especially when your tit...

The "Junior Engineer" role is evaporating. If you are still hiring for entry-level code, you are solving the wrong problem. In the era of Agentic AI, the traditional tech career ladder is crumbling. Oren Michels (CEO, Barndoor AI) argues that companies relying on junior devs to write boilerplate code are building "legacy problems," not future-proof teams. The new reality isn't about writing syntax...

70% of AI projects fail — not because of bad models or missing data, but because of misaligned leadership and culture. The Transformation Gap reveals what separates organizations that scale transformation from those that stall. Hosted by Mike Sommer, this show decodes the human operating system behind enterprise success — how leaders create velocity without volatility, decentralize control without...

Most CIOs focus on systems. The best ones build leaders. In this episode, executive coach Joe Woodruff — co-founder of CIO Mastermind — shares what separates high-performing CIOs from those who stall out. After coaching over 300 tech leaders, Joe has seen the patterns: isolation, lack of influence, and over-reliance on technical expertise. We dive into: Why leadership — not tech — is your ultimate...

💡 Why do so many digital transformation efforts fall flat?   According to David Williamson , a seasoned C-level tech exec in life sciences, it's not because of the technology—it’s because of the people.   On the latest Heartbeat episode, David joins host Mike Sommer to unpack why transformation fails, how to do it right, and what CIOs must prioritize in 2025.   🎯 Key takeaways: - Cut costs by up...

How can CIOs turn their Salesforce orgs from chaotic to catalytic? In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer talks with Ian Gotts, founder of Elements. Cloud, to unpack what it means to implement “change intelligence” in Salesforce environments. Ian reveals the hidden drivers of Salesforce inefficiency—fragmented data, overbuilt systems, and lack of governance—and shares how tools...

In this episode of Heartbeat, we sit down with John Georgatos (CIO @ Mike Morris Law Firm, Interim Global CIO @ VaynerMedia) to break down how he led a bold 90-day IT transformation—turning budget pressure into AI-powered results. 🔹 Legacy overhaul in record time 🔹 Aligning IT with CFO & COO priorities 🔹 Deploying Salesforce Einstein AI 🔹 The rise of AI consultants—and why clean data is no...

What if CIOs had a place to grow—without vendors, pitches, or fluff? In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with Scott Smeester, founder of CIO Mastermind, a private, vendor-free community built to empower IT leaders with strategic clarity, peer support, and real-world leadership development. Scott unpacks the four biggest gaps holding back tech execs—business acumen,...

What does it take to go from CIO to trusted business advisor? In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer welcomes Karl Mosgofian—seasoned tech executive and former CIO of Gainsight—to unpack what it really means to lead IT in today’s dynamic enterprise environment. With over three decades of experience, Karl shares hard-earned insights on scaling organizations, taming technical deb...

How McKesson’s Velu Palani Leads Saleforce Transformation with AI, Frameworks & Strategic Vision In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with Velu Palani, Vice President and Salesforce IT Service Leader at McKesson, one of the largest healthcare companies in the world. Velu shares hard-won insights from leading enterprise CRM transformations, implementing Salesforc...

In this episode of the Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with John Ayers, a seasoned expert in customer experience, AI-driven personalization, and digital business transformation. John takes us through his fascinating career—from the rise of desktop publishing and MP3s to mobile responsiveness and the AI boom—sharing hard-earned lessons from navigating massive tech shifts. Together, th...

In this episode of the Heartbeat podcast, hosted by Mike Sommer, Glen Stoffel, Chief Strategy Officer at Moon Nox and co-founder of Camp4, delves into AI-driven transformation and the irreplaceable human elements in tech leadership. The discussion centers on professional services in tech, generative AI's role in boosting productivity, and the necessity of cultural alignment and human interaction i...

🎧 In this episode of The Heartbeat Podcast, host Mike Sommer sits down with Tim Winders, Associate VP of IT and Deputy CIO at Purdue University. With over 30 years in higher ed IT, Tim shares lessons from leading major initiatives—like the IT centralization across Purdue campuses and unifying Purdue Northwest.   He dives into how tech can truly transform the student and faculty experience, why st...

Heartbeat host Mike Sommer,  sits down with Brian Glass, CIO at Transcend Company, to talk about what it really means to lead IT at scale—especially in high-stakes industries like healthcare. Brian’s journey from early tech curiosity to leadership roles at GM, Volkswagen of America, and Ally Financial is packed with lessons for any CIO navigating disruption, transformation, and the relentless pace...

As CIOs navigate 2025, the pressure to drive innovation, scale AI initiatives, and optimize IT strategy has never been greater. In this episode, we break down Gartner’s latest CIO report, exploring how to build a data-driven foundation, manage cybersecurity risks, control tech costs, and secure top talent for emerging technologies. With expert insights and actionable strategies, we’ll discuss how...

Welcome to Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs. In this episode, we sit down with Renee Gregor, COO of Park Pro, to explore what it really takes to drive innovation beyond just technology—and why execution matters more than buzzwords. With 15+ years of experience in client strategy, working with brands like Macy’s, BMW, Ralph Lauren, and Coca-Cola, Renee brings a unique perspective on translatin...

Discover how AI is revolutionizing strategy development by enhancing analysis, uncovering insights faster, and mitigating biases. Learn how businesses can leverage AI as a researcher, thought partner, and simulator to drive smarter decision-making.

In this episode, we discuss Future Frontiers: The Next Arenas of Competition; we dive into McKinsey’s groundbreaking analysis of 18 emerging industries set to reshape the global economy, with a potential $48 trillion impact by 2040. CIOs will gain key insights into how arenas—defined by high growth and dynamism—offer unparalleled opportunities for innovation, disruption, and market leadership. We...

This podcast features Daniel Keith and Mike Sommer discussing digital transformation and the evolving role of the CIO. Keith shares a pivotal career moment that shifted his focus to Salesforce and advocates for "digital evolution" over traditional transformation projects. The discussion explores the Intelligence Age and the importance of augmenting human cognition with AI, emphasizing data integri...

In this episode of Heartbeat Tactical Insights for CIOs, host Mike Sommer sits down with Sam Kann—a seasoned CIO, entrepreneur, and innovator with over 20 years of IT leadership experience. Sam shares his human-centered approach to technology, emphasizing the power of empathy, stakeholder alignment, and relationship-building in driving successful digital transformation. From navigating industry di...

Welcome to today’s episode of Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs, where we explore the cutting edge of generative AI in the legal industry with a leader who’s not just witnessing change but driving it. Our guest is Robert Field, who is at the forefront of innovation at Ozmosys, where he’s transforming how legal professionals interact with data—turning vast information into actionable insights t...

In this episode of 'Heartbeat Tactical Insights for CIOs,' host Michael Sommer speaks with Greg Killstrom, a marketing thought leader, consultant, and author of over 20 books. Greg, who has guided Fortune 1000 brands such as Adidas, FedEx, HP, and Coca-Cola, discusses his journey from product designer to marketing technology expert. He emphasizes the importance of creating customer value, the conv...

In this episode of Heartbeat: Tactical Insights for CIOs, host Michael Sommer speaks with Deepak Sachdeva, a veteran CIO/CTO with 20+ years of experience. Deepak shares insights on aligning technology with business needs, data governance, and digital transformation. He offers actionable strategies for reducing technical debt, fostering collaboration, and driving innovation to create lasting busine...