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

COVID Wrote The New Business Case For Digital

What It Means February 4, 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has written a new digital business case for most companies. In this episode, Vice President and Principal Analyst Ted Schadler describes how successful firms are accelerating their digital transformation in 2021.
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The Shift From Remote Work To Anywhere Work

What It Means January 28, 2021
As they emerge from the pandemic, organizations are making decisions on remote-work strategies. In this episode of What It Means, VPs J. P. Gownder and James McQuivey discuss the anywhere-work strategy as a solution.
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How B2B CMOs Can Win Over The Company Board

What It Means January 21, 2021
Principal Analyst Jennifer Rouse explains how B2B marketing leaders can avoid potential pitfalls in board presentations and secure buy-in for key initiatives.
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The Well-Being Opportunity For Financial Services Firms

What It Means January 14, 2021
The interests of financial services firms no longer align with those of the customers they serve, Senior Analyst Aurélie L’Hostis argues. In this week’s What It Means episode, she explains why a strategic focus on consumers’ financial well-being is key to driving loyalty and future growth.
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Tech Trends To Watch In 2021

What It Means January 7, 2021
Forrester analysts provide their predictions for IoT, AI, blockchain, and cloud in this special edition of What It Means.
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Forrester Predictions Roundup: Explore The Trends That Will Define 2021

What It Means December 31, 2020
As you prepare your plans for the new year, Forrester analysts review their top predictions for IT, marketing, sales, and CX professionals in this special episode of What It Means.
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How Manufacturing Will Get Smarter In 2021

What It Means December 17, 2020
In 2021, manufacturing firms will accelerate the use of technologies that helped them through the pandemic. Principal Analyst Paul Miller provides a deeper look on this week’s episode of What It Means.
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European Predictions 2021: Regulators Prioritize AI And Remote Work

What It Means December 10, 2020
The year ahead will bring new regulatory frameworks, UK data chaos, and a shift in attitude toward remote work in the EU. VP and Group Director Laura Koetzle explains what lies ahead on this episode of What It Means.
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CX Predictions 2021: Design For Consumer Trust

What It Means December 3, 2020
Consumer trust has always been important. But for 2021, consumer trust is underlined and bolded — nothing is more important for a brand’s survival. On this episode of What It Means with Vice President and Research Director David Truog, discover how CX pros will helm their firm’s journey into the brave new world of post-pandemic customer expectations.
Podcast

Big Risks Are The Safest Option For B2C Marketing In 2021

What It Means November 19, 2020
The tumult of 2020 has turned yesterday’s marketing best practices into today’s imperatives. Explore our B2C marketing predictions in this What It Means episode featuring VP, Principal Analyst Shar VanBoskirk and Analyst Stephanie Liu.
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In 2021, B2B Marketing And Sales Become More Human, Thanks To Tech

What It Means November 12, 2020
COVID-19 has changed B2B marketing and sales — perhaps forever. Savvy marketers and sellers will seize the moment and transform their approaches to become truly buyer-centric. On this week’s What It Means, VP, Principal Analyst Lori Wizdo and Principal Analyst Mary Shea explain how the disruption of 2020 will shape 2021 and beyond.
Podcast

Predictions 2021: What CIOs Can Expect In the Year Ahead

What It Means November 5, 2020
After a year no CIO could have predicted, what can IT leaders expect in 2021? In this episode, Vice Presidents Brian Hopkins and Matt Guarini review Forrester’s CIO predictions for 2021.
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Future Fit Technology: The CIO’s New Path Forward

What It Means October 29, 2020
In an era of systemic uncertainty, Forrester’s future fit technology model provides a blueprint for IT leaders seeking new ways forward. In this episode, we dig into the future fit model with Vice Presidents Bobby Cameron and Allen Bonde.
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Best Of EX 2020

What It Means October 22, 2020
Employee experience leaders were challenged like never before in 2020. In this episode, Forrester analysts provide examples of organizations that have successfully adapted their EX programs this year.
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Autonomous Finance: It’s A Matter Of Trust

What It Means October 15, 2020
With many business functions being automated, what makes financial services different? On this week’s episode, Principal Analyst Peter Wannemacher explores the issues of trust involved with autonomous finance.
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The Role Of Technical Debt In The New Normal

What It Means October 8, 2020
Is the big push to digital transformation the end of technical debt? In this episode, VP and Principal Analyst Brian Hopkins discusses the issue in light of pandemic-driven, digital trends.
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How B2B Marketing Leaders Can Plan For The Unpredictable

What It Means October 1, 2020
How do you proactively plan at a time when so little is certain? On this week’s What It Means, Vice President and Research Director Jennifer Ross and Principal Analyst Adele Sweetwood explain how B2B marketing leaders can guide their organizations through an unpredictable year ahead.
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The “Next Normal” For Sales Will Be Data-Driven

What It Means September 24, 2020
As sales leaders plan for 2021, leaning into data and insights will be key to success. Vice President and Research Director Mike Pregler explains why and dives into other action items for sales leaders in this week’s episode.
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Lessons From The Pandemic For B2B Sales And Marketing Leaders

What It Means September 17, 2020
By disrupting familiar ways of working, the pandemic has forced B2B sales and marketing leaders to reprioritize and reflect. In this discussion of key priorities for European sales and marketing leaders, Vice Presidents Isabel Montesdeoca, Phil Harrell, and Meta Karagianni explain the lessons that can be learned from this period.
Podcast

How To Successfully Pivot To Virtual Events

What It Means September 10, 2020
The pandemic has forced companies (including Forrester) to take planned in-person events virtual. What’s needed to make virtual events a success, and are they here to stay? Vice President and Global Head of Events Lisa Riley and Principal Analyst Jessie Johnson weigh in on this week’s What It Means.