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

How “Tucked” CMOs Can Take Charge

What It Means June 22, 2023
Nearly half of B2C chief marketing officers don’t report to the CEO but instead, a different C-suite role. What’s behind the trend, and what should these “tucked” CMOs (and, really, all CMOs) do to succeed? VP and Research Director Mike Proulx explains on this week’s episode of What It Means.
Podcast

Applying 2022’s Security Lessons To 2023 Threats

What It Means June 15, 2023
The best way to predict the future is to understand the past. In this episode, Principal Analysts Sandy Carielli and Brian Wrozek share the security lessons learned in 2022 and how they apply to 2023’s biggest threats.
Podcast

The CIO’s Role In The Growth Agenda

What It Means June 8, 2023
As business becomes more technology-driven, the role of technology leaders is changing, as well. In this episode, VP, Senior Research Director Fred Giron and VP, Principal Analyst Ted Schadler discuss new research defining the CIO’s role in powering growth.
Podcast

How Creative Commerce Fuels Loyalty Across The Customer Lifecycle

What It Means June 1, 2023
From streaming services to ice cream, creative commerce is revolutionizing commerce by integrating all phases of the buying cycle. Learn how on this week’s What It Means with VP, Principal Analyst Jay Pattisall and Principal Analyst Kelsey Chickering.
Podcast

The Surprising Benefits Of Autism-Friendly Hiring Practices

What It Means May 25, 2023
As recruitment challenges persist, business leaders are looking to broaden their talent pools. In this episode, Senior Analysts David Mooter and Jonathan Roberts describe the benefits of implementing autism-friendly hiring practices.
Podcast

For B2C Companies, Alignment = Profit

What It Means May 18, 2023
Aligning customer experience, marketing, and digital functions around customer needs fuels growth for B2C companies. VP and Group Director Melissa Parrish explains how to build and rev a B2C customer-obsessed growth engine.
Podcast

A Three-Pronged Approach For Driving B2B Growth

What It Means May 11, 2023
Short-term strategies to win buyers’ dollars are failing B2B buyers and companies. To drive consistent, long-term growth, B2B leaders need to align on customer value. This week on What It Means, VP and Principal Analyst Lori Wizdo and Principal Analyst John Arnold explain what it takes to build and maintain a B2B customer-obsessed growth engine.
Podcast

Is Asynchronous Chat The Future Of Customer Service?

What It Means May 4, 2023
Asynchronous chat is poised to proliferate throughout the B2C ecosystem, redefining expectations around customer service. Senior Analyst Christina McAllister joins to discuss the benefits and pitfalls of this technology.
Podcast

How B2B Firms Can Win With Younger Buyers

What It Means April 27, 2023
Millennials and Gen Zers now comprise nearly two-thirds of B2B buyers. These younger buyers approach the buying process differently from their older counterparts — and they have higher expectations of vendors. This week on What It Means, VP and Principal Analyst Barbara Winters explains how B2B companies can effectively navigate the shift.
Podcast

How B2B Marketing Teams Can Align To Fuel Faster Growth

What It Means April 20, 2023
B2B marketing approaches often leave money on the table, say Principal Analysts John Arnold and Lisa Gately. On this episode of What It Means, they introduce lifecycle revenue marketing, a holistic approach to capturing growth opportunities with new and existing customers.
Podcast

How Will Generative AI Change Business?

What It Means April 13, 2023
Generative AI is everywhere lately, but what will its real impact be on the enterprise? In this episode, Analyst Rowan Curran separates the hype from reality.
Podcast

The Business Case For Green Consumer Segmentation

What It Means April 6, 2023
When it comes to buying green, not all buyers are the same. In this episode, Vice Presidents and Principal Analysts Sucharita Kodali and Thomas Husson explain the benefits of segmenting your customer base by green buying habits.
Podcast

Why CSR Must Be More Than Purpose Beyond Profit

What It Means March 30, 2023
B2B leaders are getting serious about corporate social responsibility (CSR). But until they see it as central and not peripheral to the business, its impact will be limited, says VP and Principal Analyst Ian Bruce. On this week’s Forrester podcast, he explores the role that CSR now occupies in B2B companies and how leaders can implement meaningful CSR programs. 
Podcast

How B2B Marketing Leaders Can Deftly Navigate Uncertainty

What It Means March 23, 2023
How can B2B marketing leaders chart a steady course for growth in a fickle economy? By taking cues from companies that have achieved strong revenue growth, says VP and Principal Analyst Barbie Mattie. On this week’s What It Means, she provides data-backed recommendations for actions to take.
Podcast

What Is The Future Of The Office?

What It Means March 16, 2023
As companies plan their future workplace strategies, what role should the physical office play? Vice President, Research Director James McQuivey and Vice President, Principal Analyst J. P. Gownder weigh in on this episode of What It Means.
Podcast

Social Media Turmoil Drives New Ad Strategies

What It Means March 9, 2023
The turmoil happening in social media may be a good thing for advertisers. Find out why as Principal Analyst Kelsey Chickering discusses the current and future state of digital advertising in this episode.
Podcast

Will AI Reinvent Software Development?

What It Means March 2, 2023
Will TuringBots revolutionize the way software is developed? Or will they open developers up to new risks? Vice Presidents and Principal Analysts Diego Lo Giudice and Mike Gualtieri debate the pros and cons of AI for software development in this episode of What It Means.
Podcast

Blockchain: It’s More Than Just Crypto

What It Means February 23, 2023
How closely is the fate of blockchain tied to cryptocurrency? Do NFTs have business value? In this episode, Vice President and Principal Analyst Martha Bennett dispels some blockchain myths and shares some use cases that may not be on your radar.
Podcast

Tech Trends To Watch In 2023

What It Means February 16, 2023
Hear Forrester’s technology analysts share their 2023 predictions for AI, cloud, automation, edge/IoT, and software development.
Podcast

2023 European Predictions: Energy And Economic Woes Fuel Citizens’ Distrust

What It Means February 9, 2023
The war in Ukraine, exorbitant energy prices, and economic turbulence will have a profound impact on Europeans’ attitudes and choices in the months ahead. Principal Analysts Enza Iannopollo and Dan Bieler break down Forrester’s 2023 predictions for Europe and the UK this week on What It Means.