 |
|
|
|||||
Ive found that the best technical leaders tend to live in a space between optimism and skepticism. Were excited about whats possible, but weve also seen enough to know that not every shiny new thing delivers on its promise. That mindset has shaped how I lead and how I evaluate technology. Im always willing to explore whats next but do it with a critical eyetesting, validating, and asking the hard questions. Because in tech, theres always something groundbreaking that promises to change everything. Sometimes it does. Often, it doesnt. That perspective has been especially useful as Ive watched the evolution of personal computing. The PC has come a long way since the 1980s, but you could argue that not much has fundamentally changed in the last two decades. Smartphones and tablets took the spotlight, and PCs settled into a supporting role. But now, the AI PC has emerged as the next big thing, and youre likely contemplating whether its worth making the move. For any organizationwhether five employees or 20,000upgrading PCs can be scary. Its expensive and touches nearly every part of the business. Yet after using several AI PCs with integrated neural processing units (NPU) and other specialized processing units, in real-work scenariosbusiness trips, events, and enterprise and personal workflowsIm convinced this isnt just another hype cycle. These machines are different. Here are four ways Im finding wow that are worth your attention nownot later. 1. Futureproofing AI PCs are more than a hardware upgrade. Theyre a strategic investment in your workforces ability to adapt to the next wave of innovation. Wait too long, and your employees may struggle to maximize AIs rapidly advancing capabilities in daily work. Two years ago, only 5% of global commercial device shipments were AI PCs. By 2028, IDC predicts that will soar to nearly 94%. Investing early not only strategically enhances current worker proficiencies, it ensures your infrastructure is ready for future advancements in AI and computing technologies. I initially didnt expect to change my workflow until more productivity and developer tools emerge that fully leverage the latest devices high-power, low-latency efficiency. So, its fair to ask: What if these machines are outdated by the time the apps are ready? Yet nothing weve seen from manufacturers or independent software vendors (ISV) suggests thats likely. These devices are built for the long haul. 2. Creative and knowledge work potential AI PCs excel in creative tasks like generating images, enhancing design workflows, and running local models with advanced image processing tools like Adobe Firefly. But their potential goes far beyond the creative suite. Theyre poised to transform knowledge work too. Faster computation, predictive analytics, and local processing mean smoother, smarter workflows in tools like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Executives should push ISVs and major operating system providers to accelerate development in this space to unlock the full capabilities. Running sophisticated apps locally on the device without relying on external servers or cloud computing boosts efficiency and reduces latency. Thats not just a performance win; its a productivity revolution. 3. Battery life and responsiveness It might sound trivial, but battery life is a game-changer. On a recent three-day business trip, I used my AI PC on flights, in meetings, and at the airport without charging once. I used it during my meetings to take notes, handle my email, and even did some coding (yes, I still do that). I even squeezed in two more hours of work after I got home before the battery ran low. For executives on the go or a travelling workforce, that kind of reliability frees up mental space and time. No more hunting for outlets. No more battery anxiety. Another standout feature is responsiveness and speed. Across manufacturers like Qualcomm, Intel, AMD, and Apple, these devices are equipped with more processing unitscentral processing units, graphics processing unit, and NPUsthan traditional PCs. This increased compute capacity ensures that AI PCs are incredibly snappy, providing a seamless user experience that boosts overall productivity. 4. Cost efficiency Initially, the price delta between AI PCs and traditional PCs was substantial, often $100 to $200 more per device. However, this gap is narrowing. For companies managing thousands of devices, this cost reduction can lead to significant savings. Even a $60 difference is easy to justify when you consider the performance gains and extended device lifecycle. You can approach adoption slowly. Our company is rolling out AI PCs in phases, with about 15% of our workforce already plugged in, starting with power users like our software developers, engineers, and executives who travel frequently. By end of year, 40% percent of our workforce will be using them. Within a couple years, nearly everyone will. You can gain insight into the best ways AI PCs will impact your organization by testing through your power users, then broaden the pool as needed. This phased approach lets us test, learn, and scale intelligently. It also helps us identify where the biggest gains are, whether in creative output, battery life, or raw processing power. Lead the shift, dont chase it AI PCs arent just about speed or battery life. Theyre about preparing your organization for whats next. Adopting now offers numerous benefits to all areas of your business, from sales teams to creative or technical departments. Leaders must champion this transitionnot just by investing in the hardware but by advocating for faster software development and thoughtful rollout strategies. Start with the teams that will benefit the most. Learn from their experience. Then scale. Because the future of work isnt waiting. And with AI PCs, you dont have to, either. Juan Orlandini is CTO, North America of Insight Enterprises.
Category:
E-Commerce
When my marketing role evolved to include customer success and renewals, some naturally expressed confusion on why a CMO with established expertise and an already large remit would willingly take on more. This confusion was not among colleagues (Im fortunate enough to be part of a very supportive environment!) but among others inside and outside of my network. Looking back, that decision reinforced something I believe is a career accelerator and crucial in leadership. Its a lesson Ive shared with many young professionals and I believe others should take it to heart. Adaptability defines who will lead tomorrow’s companies and who won’t. Heres how to think about becoming more adaptable. Break artificial barriers Sometimes we box ourselves in with professional or personal labels. “I’m a marketer” or “I’m an engineer” or Im a mother becomes both identity and limitation. These labels feel safe in a chaotic world. They create boundaries, but they can also limit growth. I’ve seen smart, capable young professionals turn down opportunities with a quick “that’s not in my job description.” They build walls around their roles, thinking they’re creating safety without fully appreciating the downstream impact to their career growth. My shift from marketing into customer success happened deliberately. I wanted to understand the full customer journey firsthand. And now, every time I push beyond my comfort zone, I gain insights that change how I approach all aspects of our business. Look at the full picture Working across both marketing and customer success showed me connections I’d have missed otherwise. When you handle both sides of the customer relationship, patterns start to appear. You notice how your early marketing messages set expectations that affect renewal conversations months later. You spot the gaps between what attracts customers initially and what keeps them around. This full-picture view prepares you for executive roles in ways specialization can’t. Senior leaders need to synthesize information from across departmentstough to do when you’ve only seen one slice of the business. Ride the wave of change Young professionals today face relentless workplace transformation. Technologies reshape entire industries overnight. Business models evolve constantly. People who excel amid this chaos don’t resist changethey embrace it. When unfamiliar challenges crop up, they lean in rather than back away. This is something I strive to instill in my team and my children. When we are not afraid to take on unfamiliar challenges and we dont accept perceived limitations, we create permission for others to do the same. I’ve witnessed this ripple effect repeatedly. One person’s willingness to push boundaries inspires colleagues, friends and family to reconsider their own self-imposed constraints and embrace a growth mindset. How to build your adaptability muscles Getting comfortable with change takes practice: Jumping into cross-functional projects exposes you to different departments Consider sideways moves before focusing solely on climbing up Ask questions about parts of the business you don’t touch daily Find mentors with backgrounds different from yours Tackle unfamiliar tasks with curiosity instead of anxiety Reframe your professional limitations If someone requests your help with a task that falls outside of your area of expertise, view it as a chance to develop and expand your skills. Find new routes Adaptability opens doors that might otherwise stay shut. Reaching senior leadership often means finding alternate routes when traditional paths prove blocked. The biggest barriers to professional growth often aren’t external obstacles or lack of opportunity, they’re the invisible ceilings we build for ourselves. Connect the organization People who move between different functions bring unique valuethey bridge communication gaps. They translate between specialized teams that struggle to understand each other. They spot problems and opportunities others miss. Companies facing complexity need leaders who make connections. When you demonstrate this skill, you stand out dramatically from peers who excel only in their specialty. Get comfortable with discomfort Becoming adaptable means feeling uncomfortable regularly. Stepping into new territory triggers self-doubt, but over time builds your confidence to trust your judgment. But, here’s a poorly-kept secret: This discomfort never completely goes away, even for experienced executives. What changes is how you respond to it. You start seeing discomfort as a sign of growth rather than failure. Young professionals aiming for leadership positions gain an edge with this mindset shift. While others avoid challenging situations, you’ll build versatility that makes you increasingly valuable. I projectwith confidencethat well see leaders of tomorrow who continuously reinvent themselves, crossing boundaries, embracing challenges outside their comfort zone, and bringing diverse perspectives together. The real question: When unexpected opportunities appear, will you take them? I definitely think you should. Melissa Puls is chief marketing officer and SVP of customer success and renewals at Ivanti.
Category:
E-Commerce
SharkNinja’s CEO, Mark Barrocas, joined Yaz and Josh on this week’s Most Innovative Companies exclusive video podcast to discuss how social media has become their number-one marketing tool, tariffs, and of course, the viral SLUSHI machine.
Category:
E-Commerce
All news |
||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||