What It Means: A Forrester podcast

Each week, the What It Means podcast invites Forrester analysts to discuss the latest trends and challenges to help business and technology leaders make bold decisions and become truly customer-obsessed. Topics range from tech-driven innovation and CX design to B2B buying trends and marketing planning. Listen now and subscribe to get a new episode each week. Got a comment or question? Email our team at podcast@forrester.com.

Latest Episodes

Podcast

Assessing The Risks Of Emerging Technologies

What It Means March 24, 2022
As a CIO, do you dread talking to your chief risk officer about emerging technologies? In this episode, you’ll learn how to lead that conversation effectively from Principal Analysts Renee Murphy and Sara Watson.
Podcast

The High Cost Of Skipping User Research

What It Means March 17, 2022
What's the biggest mistake CX orgs make? Listening to their gut. If you want to design experiences that strengthen customer loyalty, listen to this episode about user research featuring Senior Analyst AJ Joplin.
Podcast

The Key To Elevating IT’s Role? Its Operating Model

What It Means March 10, 2022
What’s the missing ingredient for an IT organization to deliver value in a customer-obsessed company? It may well be your operating model. Learn more as Principal Analyst Fiona Mark and VP, Principal Analyst Bobby Cameron discuss transforming your IT operating model.
Podcast

The Dawn Of A New Era In Healthcare

What It Means March 3, 2022
The past two years have shaped healthcare in profound and irreversible ways. In this episode of What It Means, Senior Analyst Natalie Schibell discusses the major shifts and what the future holds.
Podcast

Seeking Adaptivity? Lose The Jobs

What It Means February 24, 2022
How can your organization become more adaptive? Stop hiring for jobs. Principal Analyst Katy Tynan and VP, Principal Analyst J. P. Gownder break down Forrester’s new “no more jobs” talent model.
Podcast

Automation’s Profound And Complex Impact On EU Jobs

What It Means February 17, 2022
Will increased automation add to job losses in the Europe-5 countries or help diffuse a demographic time bomb? Analyst Michael O’Grady discusses our forecast for the future of jobs in Europe.
Podcast

Avoid The Chatbot How-Can-I-Help-You Problem

What It Means February 10, 2022
The problem with chatbots can be summed up in one sentence: “How can I help you?” This question sets the expectation that a chatbot will be as helpful as a human agent, which isn’t true. But don’t scrap all your chatbots. Instead, invest in experience design, says VP, Principal Analyst David Truog on this episode of What It Means.
Podcast

Bias In AI: Avoiding An Algorithmic Debacle

What It Means February 3, 2022
Are all algorithms inherently biased? Of course not, but the risk of AI gone wrong is a real one for many organizations. Find out why as VP, Principal Analyst Brandon Purcell discusses fairness in AI.
Podcast

Tech Trends To Watch In 2022

What It Means January 27, 2022
Forrester analysts provide their 2022 predictions for AI, automation, cloud, and internet of things (IoT) in this special edition of What It Means.
Podcast

Predictions 2022: The Future Of Work Has Arrived. Now What?

What It Means January 20, 2022
The future of work became unexpectedly real during the pandemic. Find out how work will evolve in 2022, as VPs James McQuivey and J. P. Gownder dig into our 2022 predictions for the future of work.
Podcast

How To Make Sense Of, And Get The Most From, Sales Technology

What It Means January 13, 2022
Today’s sales technology can improve nearly every aspect of selling — if it’s chosen wisely. This week, VP and Senior Research Director Phil Harrell discusses how B2B sales leaders should evaluate tech tools to make the right choices for their organization. He also introduces Forrester’s new Ask A Sales Leader podcast, which will feature interviews with sales executives on a wide range of sales topics.
Podcast

Predictions 2022: Are Digital And Trust On A Collision Course?

What It Means January 6, 2022
How will the digital acceleration of 2021 impact trust patterns in 2022? Principal Analyst Enza Iannopollo provides an inside look at our 2022 digital trust predictions.
Podcast

Predictions 2022: B2B Marketing’s Now-Or-Never Moment

What It Means December 23, 2021
B2B marketing could be on the cusp of a momentous shift — if marketing leaders step up to the opportunity. VP and Principal Analyst Lori Wizdo and VP and Research Director Caroline Robertson explain what that requires as they discuss Forrester’s 2022 B2B marketing predictions.
Podcast

Predictions 2022: APAC Accelerates Into Its Digital Future

What It Means December 16, 2021
In the coming year, the Asia Pacific region will take decisive steps toward becoming a digital society. What does that entail, and what else is in store for businesses and consumers? VP and Research Director Michael Barnes discusses Forrester’s APAC predictions on this week’s What It Means.
Podcast

Predictions 2022: Values Come Front And Center For European Companies

What It Means December 9, 2021
Values-based consumers will drive major changes in the European economy in the coming year. Find out how as VP and Group Research Director Laura Koetzle discusses our 2022 European predictions.
Podcast

Predictions 2022: B2C CMOs Need To Adapt Or Get Sidelined

What It Means December 2, 2021
In 2022, B2C CMOs will either expand their remit and shine brighter than ever … or find themselves sidelined. The difference lies in whether a CMO can upskill and handle marketing’s new responsibilities or not, according to VP and Research Director Mike Proulx.
Podcast

Predictions 2022: Human Creativity Will Power Technology

What It Means November 18, 2021
Will technical debt get worse in 2022? How about shadow IT? Or the war for tech talent? Find out when VP and Senior Research Director Matt Guarini discusses our 2022 predictions for technology leaders — including one prediction that didn’t make the list.
Podcast

Predictions 2022: How CX Can Shine In A Year Of Shortages

What It Means November 11, 2021
“Shortage” will be the name of the game in 2022. CX leaders will have to help their organizations contend with out-of-stock products, understaffing, and unhappy customers. Senior Analyst Judy Weader and Researcher Sam Karpinski explain how CX leaders can shine during a difficult year.
Podcast

B2B Buying Has Changed. How Should Marketers Respond?

What It Means November 4, 2021
The B2B buying process has changed dramatically in recent years, and particularly during the pandemic. Are the changes permanent, and what should marketers do to adapt? VP and Principal Analyst Beth Caplow and Principal Analyst Barbara Winters provide insight on What It Means.
Podcast

What’s Next For The CDO?

What It Means October 28, 2021
In this preview of our upcoming Data Strategy & Insights event, data executives from TIAA and Humana discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the chief data officer today.