Latest news with #Nexthink
Techday NZ
21-05-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Businesses consider merging IT & HR to boost engagement
Nexthink has released research indicating a significant shift may be underway in how businesses approach employee productivity and engagement, with the potential merger of IT and HR departments emerging as a solution. The study, titled 'The Experience Silo: The Future of HR and IT', surveyed 1,100 IT leaders worldwide and revealed strong support for integrating IT and HR teams to counter declines in productivity and employee engagement. According to the research, 93% of respondents said merging the two departments would increase productivity, boost employee satisfaction, and drive engagement. 64% predicted a full merger will take place within five years, while a further 31% expect much closer collaboration between the functions. The potential benefits of such a merger, as cited in the report, include reduced delays and improved outcomes for digital transformation projects, smoother onboarding of new hires, faster adoption of digital tools by employees, and higher levels of employee satisfaction, retention, and engagement. Specifically, 85% of IT leaders expect fewer delays in digital transformation, 94% anticipate more successful project outcomes, and 97% believe employees would more quickly adopt new digital tools. 95% said onboarding processes would improve, and 93% anticipated gains in productivity, engagement, retention, and satisfaction. These findings come as businesses contend with sluggish productivity and declining engagement, trends which are contributing to an estimated USD $430 billion in lost global productivity. The challenges are heightened by the increasing complexity of the digital workplace, with employees now using an average of 11 applications, up from six in 2019. IT leaders anticipate a further 43% increase in the number of workplace applications over the next three years. Vedant Sampath, Chief Technology Officer at Nexthink, commented on the situation. "Virtually every business is facing this crisis of falling engagement and sluggish productivity, although some more than others," Sampath said. "This shows that businesses are considering radical changes in response. This isn't just about smoother onboarding or faster tech support; it's about fundamentally reimagining the workspace in a way that allows employees to bring their best selves and produce their best work." Merging IT and HR functions would not be without challenges. Respondents cited concerns including a lack of clear ownership over new and existing responsibilities (58%), poor communication between the two departments (50%), and differing priorities (49%). Nonetheless, more than half of the surveyed IT leaders (52%) said their organisations were 'very ready' to begin merging functions to enhance digital transformation efforts. The research also examined possible leadership for a combined department. 40% said that the new entity should be overseen by a new role, such as a Chief Experience Officer (CXO), rather than a traditional Chief Information Officer (CIO) or Chief People Officer. The anticipated remit of the merged function extends beyond traditional HR or IT responsibilities to encompass measuring and improving digital employee experience (62%), managing all workplace technology and collaboration tools including automation and AI (69%), overseeing employee digital training (61%), and providing insight into workforce analytics such as productivity scores (51%). Sampath added, "We're moving towards a future where the employee experience is going to be just as important as the customer experience. Whether HR and IT merge or not, it's essential that businesses invest in giving their workers great experiences. Nobody is able to be properly productive if they're constantly battling delays, poorly functioning tools, and disjointed processes. The businesses that address these frustrations and properly marry people and technology will be the ones that attract top talent, reduce friction, and build high-performing, adaptive teams."
Hi Dubai
16-05-2025
- Business
- Hi Dubai
Commercial Bank of Dubai Strengthens Fintech Innovation with New Strategic Partnerships
Commercial Bank of Dubai (CBD) has signed three major Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) at the Dubai FinTech Summit, reinforcing its push toward technology-led transformation in banking. The agreements—inked with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Nexthink, and CODE81—aim to enhance CBD's digital capabilities across employee experience, data analytics, and technology operations. Each MoU aligns with the bank's broader strategy to simplify banking through innovation. CBD's partnership with Nexthink will focus on improving internal digital workflows and IT service delivery. Sultan Ahmed AlMahmood, Chief Human Resource Officer at CBD, signed the MoU alongside Nexthink CEO Gireesh Ramachandran. A second agreement with CODE81, signed by CBD's Head of Transformation Helen Brewster and CODE81 General Manager Nader Paslar, will boost CBD's data and analytics infrastructure. The third MoU, signed with TCS, marks a decade of collaboration and sets the foundation for future tech advancements. It was formalized by CBD's Chief Information Officer Thomas Cherian and TCS's regional head Sumanta Roy. CBD CEO Dr. Bernd van Linder emphasized that these partnerships reflect the bank's commitment to customer-centric innovation and support the UAE's vision of a digitally driven economy. At the summit, Dr. van Linder participated in a panel on the evolving tech-driven economy, highlighting AI, generative AI, and the importance of talent and data readiness. Other CBD leaders also took the stage, discussing open finance, digital trust, and fintech collaboration. As a strategic partner and exclusive VIP Lounge sponsor, CBD marked its third consecutive year at the summit. It also hosted the GCC Fintech World Cup Qualifier, underscoring its role in shaping the region's fintech future. News Source: Ogilvy
Mid East Info
15-05-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
CBD Signs Three Strategic MoUs at Dubai FinTech Summit, reinforcing its digital-by-design banking outlook - Middle East Business News and Information
A strategic partner to the Summit, the bank has entered agreements with TCS, Nexthink, and CODE 81, to unlock new and improved customer and employee experiences. CBD also participated in multiple panel discussions at the Summit, discussing bank-fintech collaboration, themes shaping the future of banking and more. Ahead of the Summit, CBD hosted the GCC Fintech World Cup Qualifier, where top startups competed for a place in the global finals. Dubai, United Arab Emirates,May 2025: Commercial Bank of Dubai, a leading financial institution in the UAE, has signed three Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) this week at the Dubai FinTech Summit. The agreements, made with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Nexthink, and CODE81, are well in line with CBD's commitment to making everyday banking effortless and simple through thoughtful innovation. The signings were witnessed by several CBD representatives at the Summit, alongside partner signatories. The first MoU was signed with Nexthink by Sultan Ahmed AlMahmood, Chief Human Resource Officer at CBD and Gireesh Ramachandran, Chief Executive Officer at Nexthink. The agreement focuses on enhancing the employee experience through advanced digital workplace analytics and proactive IT service management. The second agreement was signed with CODE81 by Helen Brewster, Head of Transformation and Business Management at CBD; and Nader Paslar, General Manager at CODE81. This strategic partnership aims to accelerate CBD's data and analytics capabilities across the bank, supporting its ongoing data-driven transformation journey. The third MoU was signed with TCS by Thomas Cherian, Chief Information Officer at CBDand Sumanta Roy, President & Regional Head – Middle East and Africa at TCS. Celebrating ten years of partnership, this agreement reinforces CBD's collaboration with TCS in technology service operations and sets the stage for future innovation. Dr Bernd Van Linder, Chief Executive Officer at CBD, commented: 'At CBD, we believe technology must ultimately serve and benefit the customer and our latest partnership agreements reflect our ongoing commitment to enable meaningful innovation in banking. For over 50 years, we have been proud to grow alongside the UAE, and today, we continue to invest in partnerships that allow us to lead in digital transformation, aligning with the UAE's vision for a future-proof and globally competitive economy.' On the opening day of the summit, CBD's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Bernd van Linder participated in a panel titled, 'The next financial frontier: navigating the tech-driven economy,' Dr. van Linder discussed how technology can be leveraged as a means to deliver superior customer experiences. He stressed the bank's partnership-driven approach to innovation, citing fintech collaborations and CBD's Digital Factory at DIFC as key enablers of transformation. Dr. van Linder also highlighted how AI and GenAI are moving from theory to real-time application, unlocking new possibilities across the sector. He further argued on the need to equip people with the right skills and data foundation to ensure meaningful adoption. Vladislavs Mironovs, Chief Digital Officer lead a panel about 'Open finance, open possibilities: Redefining financial innovation and inclusion globally,'. He explored how collaboration is central to realising the full potential of open finance. He outlined a vision where banks serve as infrastructure builders, fintechs act as innovation partners, and regulators play an active role in bringing all parties together. Mironovs emphasised that customer needs must remain at the center of this transformation, as consumers are ready to share data when it results in tangible benefits such as enhanced credit scoring and seamless payments. He concluded that the faster the ecosystem connects, the faster value can be delivered. Hamayoun Khan, Head of Transaction Banking, led a fireside chat with the CEO of Haifin, an e& enterprise company, 'Reimagining Bank Guarantees: Digitising Trust, Scaling Impact,' the chat focused on the increasing need to digitise trade instruments and scale impact across the financial ecosystem. CBD has participated in the Dubai FinTech Summit for the third consecutive year, as a strategic partner and the exclusive sponsor of the VIP Lounge. This continued presence underscores the Bank's long-standing commitment to driving innovation in the financial sector. Ahead of this year's event, CBD also hosted the GCC Fintech World Cup Qualifier, where top startups competed for a place in the global finals. By hosting the qualifier and taking part in the jury, CBD reaffirms its dedication to nurturing the next generation of talent and entrepreneurship. These initiatives further highlight CBD's alignment with the D33 agenda and the UAE's national goal of building a globally competitive, innovation-led economy.
Techday NZ
28-04-2025
- Business
- Techday NZ
Lack of employee skills threatens value of AI investments
New research from Nexthink has indicated that a lack of employee digital readiness could jeopardise returns on significant investments in artificial intelligence (AI). The survey encompassed 1,100 global IT decision makers and highlighted that 92% of IT leaders believe the latest wave of AI-powered digital transformation is poised to increase digital friction within organisations. According to the findings, fewer than half (47%) of employees currently possess the digital dexterity required to adapt to emerging technological changes, and 88% of leaders expect many workers to feel daunted by advancements such as Generative AI. IT spending worldwide is projected to rise to $5.61 trillion in 2025, with $644 billion allocated specifically to Generative AI. These figures underscore the scale of investment underway, yet point to significant challenges regarding workforce preparedness. Despite these outlays, 42% of IT leaders disclosed difficulty in assigning precise monetary value to their AI initiatives, while 93% expressed a desire to improve mechanisms for identifying underperforming investments. Vedant Sampath, Chief Technology Officer at Nexthink, highlighted the human aspect of digital transformation, stating: "Organisations are spending trillions on IT to digitally transform, but without their people on board, it's a fast track to failure. Too many employees are left grappling with unfamiliar AI tools because they lack digital dexterity: the ability to confidently embrace new technologies." "IT teams, meanwhile, are flying blind without visibility into where things are going wrong. Transformation isn't just about rolling out new tech; it's about enabling people to use it effectively. If businesses don't end this digital dexterity crisis, they'll end up with cutting-edge AI tools - but a workforce that can't use them. That's a one-way ticket to watching AI investments go up in smoke." The pace of digital change within organisations is accelerating. On average, IT leaders anticipate a 43% increase in the number of applications used over the next three years. Two-thirds (66%) report their organisation is introducing a new application, tool, or platform every month. This pace is placing substantial pressure on IT teams, with 69% admitting there are currently too many users for IT to provide effective adoption support to everyone. The consequences of insufficient support are felt across several business areas. According to the report, inadequate application rollouts can result in reduced productivity (61%), diminished collaboration (51%), an increase in IT support tickets (46%), and greater overall employee dissatisfaction (46%). In response, IT leaders are focusing on increasing digital dexterity across their organisations. A substantial 96% stated the need to improve their ability to accurately detect digital friction among users, which they believe would greatly enhance the success of digital transformation projects. As AI continues to reshape the workplace, the same proportion (96%) emphasise the importance of strengthening digital adoption support to help employees adjust to AI, while 95% see tailored digital employee experience (DEX) insights as essential for the future. The research identifies clear benefits to improving digital dexterity, including faster adoption of new tools (46%), increased productivity (38%), and greater innovation (37%). "Digital transformation lives and dies by the employee experience," Sampath added. "If IT teams can't effectively guide employees through adoption, businesses will never unlock the full value of their investments. DEX is no longer a nice-to-have; it's business critical. Without it, IT leaders will struggle to measure impact, let alone maximise returns, and risk seeing their transformation efforts stall before they even get off the ground."
