Latest news with #AIadoption
Forbes
7 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
3 Strategies High-Growth Companies Have In Common
What sets rapidly expanding companies apart from the rest? The Forbes Research 2025 CxO Growth Survey reveals that C-suite executives of high-growth organizations — businesses that boosted revenue by at least 10% in the last fiscal year — share several strategic similarities distinguishing them from their slower-growth peers. Employee well-being is high on the corporate agenda at rapidly growing companies. The survey polled more than 1,000 global executives, about one in four (24%) of whom fall into this high-growth cohort. The results show that these successful leaders are more likely to be focusing on three priorities: workforce wellbeing, AI adoption and environmental, social and governance (ESG) initiatives. Compared to leaders at lower-growth companies, or those with less than 10% annual revenue gain in the last fiscal year, here's what high-growth executives are doing differently: 1) Promoting A Happier, Healthier Workforce High-growth CxOs are emphasizing workplace wellness and ensuring talent is skilled for the future by: 2) Accelerating AI Deployment High-growth C-suite leaders appear to be more aggressively adopting AI across their organizations with moves like: 3) Advancing ESG And Sustainability Initiatives Leaders of high-growth firms seem to view sustainability spending and ESG as part of a broader revenue strategy with:
Zawya
22-07-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa businesses embrace GenAI – but strategy and skills lagging, finds 2025 Roadmap
South African enterprises are rapidly integrating generative AI (GenAI) into their operations, but most are doing so without formal strategies, dedicated leadership, or the infrastructure required to maximise value and minimise risk. This is the key finding of the newly released South African Generative AI Roadmap 2025, based on a study by World Wide Worx in collaboration with Dell Technologies and Intel. The report, which surveys over 100 mid-sized and large enterprises across industry sectors, shows that GenAI adoption has climbed from 45% of large enterprises in 2024 to 67% in 2025. This dramatic rise positions GenAI as the fastest-moving digital trend in the country. However, in a rush to adopt the fast-growing technology, there is a need for organisations to take the foundational steps of planning and governance. Doing so will more clearly connect AI to people and processes and help organisations reap genuine, sustaining ROI. 'Many organisations are simply unaware of the gaps they're leaving in their systems,' says Arthur Goldstuck, CEO of World Wide Worx and principal analyst of the study. 'The risk goes beyond the technical, and includes reputational, ethical, and operational vulnerability. While the first step of technology adoption is well underway, our survey demonstrates there is room for operational growth.' According to the report's findings, AI adoption has brought clear benefits to the organisations using it: - 86% of GenAI users cite increased competitiveness as a result of using AI tools. - 83% report improved productivity. - 66% see enhanced customer service. Yet, behind these numbers lies an operational gap: - Only 14% of organisations have a formal company-wide GenAI strategy. - Just 13% have implemented governance or ethical frameworks in the form of guardrails for safety, privacy and bias mitigation. - 39% cite high implementation cost as the primary barrier to GenAI adoption. AI maturity requires foundations 'The roadmap aims to help guide stakeholders to fully understand the scope of GenAI, and to build transparent strategies that deliver on its promise without placing enterprises at risk,' says Goldstuck. 'What's most startling is that many companies think using a GenAI tool is the same as having an AI strategy.' As companies race to embed GenAI tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT into business functions, most are overlooking deeper transformation through infrastructure, skills and internal capability. Holistic AI infrastructure, combined with people and processes, is critical to scaling AI deployments and clearly connecting them to tangible return on investment. Shadow AI The report raises the alarm about 'shadow AI' – the unsanctioned use of GenAI by employees without oversight. Currently: - 32% of businesses report informal or unregulated GenAI use. - A further 20% report a mix of official and unofficial GenAI use. - 84% say oversight is an important or very important success factor for GenAI deployment. Critical governance measures include clear principles for oversight, accountability, and responsible use. It enables organisations to build trust, reduce risk, and drive long-term value. 'The current use of GenAI is largely taking place in a regulatory and ethical vacuum,' Goldstuck warns. 'The longer this continues, the more harm can be caused, to both businesses and individuals, before these guardrails are in place. 'Without governance, organisations are walking blindfolded into a future shaped by AI. That might be exciting, but it is not sustainable.' The roadmap also identifies two areas of opportunity: - Business and Societal impact: Over 75% of respondents have no measures in place to monitor or reduce the energy use and footprint of GenAI. - Skills development: A massive 87% of businesses have committed to GenAI upskilling or training of employees. The report cautions that South Africa could find itself divided by the ability to use GenAI wisely and scale deployments as the technology matures. Goldstuck says: 'There's a real risk of a GenAI disconnect in South Africa between those who use GenAI deliberately, strategically and ethically, and those who use it blindly or not at all.' About World Wide Worx: World Wide Worx is South Africa's leading independent technology research organisation, focused on delivering evidence-based insights for digital transformation.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
5 Questions Leaders Should Be Asking Right Now: A Summer CEO Checklist For Smarter Talent Strategy
A summer CEO checklist for smarter talent strategy: 5 questions leaders should be asking right now As inboxes slow down and meetings taper off, summer offers a chance for business leaders to reflect and prepare. With AI accelerating, talent expectations evolving and pressure to deliver mounting, the choices leaders make now will shape their resilience tomorrow. Drawing on the latest insights from global research, here are five critical questions I believe every leader should be asking this summer. 1. Are we investing in employability or just managing vacancies? Hiring to fill gaps is one thing. Building capability for the future is another. Data shows that 67% of talent now prioritize long-term employability over remote work options. And more than 50% prefer access to skilling over flexibility. In short, people want to grow, not just work. Employers that make skills development part of their value proposition go beyond helping their teams stay relevant. They're building a more agile, future-ready organization, especially crucial in the face of accelerating AI adoption. 2. What are we doing to retain the talent we already have? Retention is the new recruitment. The data makes it clear: 60% of workers would take a lower salary to reduce stress, and 41% have already done so. We're also seeing people trade pay for time autonomy, flexibility and shared values. To retain great people, leaders must recognize that today's talent are strategic - and personal - in how they assess their career path. It's no longer only about salary or status. It's about support, progression and belonging. 3. How can we empower talent to shape the future with AI, not be sidelined by it? AI offers powerful opportunities to alleviate talent scarcity and address skills gaps, but only if its benefits are shared from a place of inclusion. According to the AI & Equity report, access to AI tools and training is uneven: only 29% of women say they have AI skills, and just 33% of workers globally have been offered training. Meanwhile, the WEF Future of Jobs Report shows that 86% of employers expect AI to transform their business by 2030. The risk? A growing AI skills gap that leaves talent behind and doesn't realize its full business potential. So, are we amplifying human potential with AI - or unintentionally excluding it? 4. Are we actually listening to our people, or do we just assume we know what they want? The Workmonitor 2025 report found that nearly half of workers would quit if they felt their values didn't align with their employer's, and over 30% have walked away due to unmet expectations. But here's the nuance: what flexibility, growth or wellbeing means can vary greatly by individual. Employers need to move from generalized assumptions to personalized listening, not just in engagement surveys, but in everyday interactions and decisions. 5. Are we leading with courage or comfort? Periods of calm - like the summer slowdown - are prime opportunities to challenge the status quo. Whether it's rethinking job design, piloting new work models, or working with inclusive approaches in how we attract and develop talent, it's the time for decisive moves. According to the WEF, up to 39% of today's core job skills will change by 2030, and 59% of the global workforce will need reskilling. It's a clear signal that businesses must act with urgency and ambition to develop and empower talent. A final word Leadership is about thinking longer, beyond the current trends and seeing the bigger picture on the horizon. Summer gives us the space to do that. The leaders who use this moment to reflect on their talent strategy will return stronger, more focused and better prepared to build the kind of organizations the future demands.
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Corporate Enabling Functions Have High Hopes For AI, But Few Have A Strategy In Place
In just two-and-a-half years since generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) made its public debut, professionals in enabling functions like corporate tax, trade, legal, and risk and compliance and beyond have quickly shifted from feeling threatened by the technology to viewing it as an essential tool for handling the complex challenges they face daily. From increasing M&A activity and real-time reporting requirements to heightened regulatory volatility, these teams are being asked to do more with less, both in terms of budget constraints and talent shortages, and many now see AI as a potential solution to these problems. Corporates have quickly shifted from feeling threatened by Generative AI to viewing it as an ... More essential tool for handling the complex challenges they face daily According to Thomson Reuters new Future of Professionals Report 2025 [LINK], 81% of these professionals believe that AI will have a high or transformational impact on their profession within the next five years. That's not just speculation. More than half (54%) of corporate tax, trade, legal, and risk and compliance respondents say their companies are already experiencing at least one type of benefit from AI adoption. Mind the Gap In fact, professionals in large corporations are currently leading the way in AI adoption. For example, most corporate legal departments have invested in new AI tools in the past 12 months, compared to only 40% of law firms. It makes sense. While law firms still mainly bill by the hour and aren't always incentivized to streamline their operations, corporate tax, trade, legal, and risk teams have historically been viewed as cost centers, making it a priority—especially in the current economic, regulatory, and geopolitical climate—to find ways to operate more efficiently and add value to the organization. However, despite the current AI enthusiasm across corporate America, a significant divide is emerging between businesses seriously integrating AI into their operations and those merely talking about it. Notably, although 81% of surveyed corporate professionals expect AI to bring major changes to their profession in the next five years, only 48% anticipate seeing these changes this year. Another clear sign that AI optimism is outpacing actual progress in many companies is that just 19% of respondents reported having a formal AI strategy in place to support ongoing AI-related innovation across their departments. Developing a Department-Specific AI Strategy The strategy component of the AI equation is crucial. Looking deeper into the data, we see that, among the 19% of companies with an AI strategy for each specific department, 84% report already seeing a return on investment from AI. In contrast, of the 48% of companies that either lack department-specific AI plans or rely solely on a top-line, company-wide AI strategy, only 33% are currently experiencing a return on investment from their AI efforts. This data supports what I observe daily when speaking with corporate executives about their current challenges. It's easy to see the potential benefits of new AI-powered research, drafting, and workflow tools, but the real value of this technology can only be truly unlocked when these solutions are fully integrated into operational workflows. Successful corporate AI adoption is more than just using a new tool in isolation; it often requires redesigning legacy systems and processes to fully utilize the power of these new technologies across the organization. An Integrated Approach to AI That's the next challenge facing corporations that want to fully leverage AI growth: reinventing workflows and rethinking old methods to become more strategic in supporting key functions within the business. Many are not doing this – or not doing it quickly enough. As more companies adopt AI, those that fall behind will face a significant competitive disadvantage, and it's not just about optimizing performance. The most effective AI integrations are those where frontline workers are informed, engaged, and well-trained. Today, 46% of professionals report substantial AI skills gaps within their teams, and 30% believe their companies are progressing too slowly in AI adoption. Companies with an AI strategy that involves leadership aware of every aspect will find it easier to attract talent and, consequently, build a strong AI foundation.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company (HPE): A Bull Case Theory
We came across a bullish thesis on Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company on Stock Region Research's Substack by Stock Region. In this article, we will summarize the bulls' thesis on HPE. Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company's share was trading at $20.45 as of June 30th. HPE's trailing and forward P/E were 19.66 and 11.25 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. A network of interconnected data points representing cloud-based software solutions. Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) is emerging as a key player in the rapidly evolving edge computing and hybrid cloud landscape, with a particular emphasis on easing AI adoption for businesses. The company's strategic focus is centered around making advanced technologies accessible and practical, which aligns with the increasing enterprise demand for integrated AI solutions. A major catalyst for this momentum is the recent expansion of HPE's GreenLake platform, which now includes robust AI and machine learning capabilities. This cloud-native platform allows businesses to access scalable computing power and advanced analytics tools without needing to build infrastructure from scratch, positioning HPE as a partner of choice in digital transformation. As enterprises across industries accelerate their cloud and AI initiatives, HPE stands out by offering a comprehensive solution that blends infrastructure, software, and services. The company's ability to meet current tech demands through GreenLake not only underscores its innovative approach but also enhances its competitive edge. From a technical standpoint, investors are closely watching key support and resistance levels, with $18.76 marked as a downside threshold and $21.35 as an upside breakout level. These indicators suggest near-term trading parameters, but the broader story lies in HPE's potential to capitalize on long-term structural trends in AI and cloud. By enabling seamless AI integration at the edge and in hybrid environments, HPE is well-positioned to capture growing enterprise IT budgets. Its strategic direction, coupled with strong product offerings and growing relevance in AI, makes HPE a compelling opportunity for investors seeking exposure to foundational digital infrastructure trends. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Cisco Systems, Inc. by Kroker Equity Research in June 2025, which highlighted its pivot to software, AI infrastructure, and observability via the Splunk acquisition. The stock has appreciated by ~3% since. The thesis still stands due to strong AI tailwinds. Stock Region shares a similar view but emphasizes HPE's edge AI strategy. HPE isn't on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. While we acknowledge the risk and potential of HPE as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: 8 Best Wide Moat Stocks to Buy Now and 30 Most Important AI Stocks According to BlackRock. Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey. 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
