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During this episode, we discuss how data stemming from products is at the heart of industry disruption. Our special guest, Chris Pesola, is a Chief Information Officer for a cloud-based software company that is helping transform the manufacturing industry. In his role, Chris is enabling manufacturing companies to compete in the next industrial revolution which is often referred to as Industry 4.0. He speaks about how Chief Information Officers differ from Chief Technology Officers and how the two roles should work together in technology companies. He shares his thoughts of how work is shifting and how the role of the CIO may be to help get the most out of the workforce - no matter if it is a human workforce or an environment which is taking advantage of AI or bot-oriented team members.

Chris is the VP & Chief Information Officer for Plex Systems, Inc.\\xa0 where he is a cross-functional leader focused on driving strategic business value. He has successfully moved the organization to cloud-based technology that has resulted in substantial efficiencies and cost-savings, increased speed to value, and happier employees and customers.\\xa0 Prior to his current role Chris has spent time leading technology-oriented functions focused on customer care and advancing employee capabilities in the education, finance, and technology sectors.\\xa0 He started his 20+ year career at Ernst & Young as a IT consultant and holds a degree from Central Michigan University in secondary education with a focus in mathematics and computer science.

Chris volunteers as a career coach to rising leaders in Detroit, MI through We Build Character, and is an avid youth hockey coach and fan.\\xa0

Segment 1: Introduction & Building a Program

1:20\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Creating a new paradigm \\u2013 today\\u2019s technological discontinuity.

4:54\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Sensors and product-in-use data: 1) 360 degree view of the customer and 2) product-centric (IIoT)

5:40\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 From the classroom to the boardroom \\u2013 a purposeful approach to being well-rounded.

9:03\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\u201cI\\u2019ve always been passionate about the next thing that will impact the user.\\u201d

9:56\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Overview of Plex: An all-cloud, all-the-time, ERP solution for manufacturing companies. \\xa0

Segment 2: Brave Leadership & the \\u201cTop Three\\u201d

12:25\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Chris\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: Jim Costanzo \\u2013 Do the right thing and approach it the right way.

14:10\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Chris\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: Don Clarke \\u2013 Break the standard \\u201ctrain of thought\\u201d.

\\u201cSometimes you have to ask a difficult question or make a really crazy request because it breaks their train of thought.\\u201d

\\u201cYou don\\u2019t want to make the wrong decision just because you have the ability to be agile, flexible, fast and change. You can still really negatively impact your employee base or customer base.\\u201d

18:06\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Chris\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d: His wife, Crystal \\u2013 A non-technical voice of reason.

\\u201cWhen it comes to being brave, every now and then you still have to check yourself or have someone around you that can check you and say \\u2013 yeah that\\u2019s a real brave move but not a real smart one.\\u201d

19:40\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Chris\\u2019s \\u201cTop Three\\u201d (Digital Mentor): Satya Nadella \\u2013 Leading without (or through the) fear. (Microsoft)

24:20\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Why none of Chris\\u2019s mentors are CIOs: the role and its transformation. \\xa0

26:27\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 The key difference between a CIO and a CTO.

29:05\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Chris\\u2019s Progressive Goal: \\u201cHow can I get all of our employees to never have to worry about whether they can do their job because of where they are or what device they happen to have with them?\\u201d.

31:59\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 CIO to CEO? \\u201cAs CIOs become business partners, and technologies tie the entire business together, it is probably important for the top leader to understand it.\\u201d.

Part 3: Industry Disruption & Transformation

36:34\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 How data is changing the manufacturing industry.

39:05\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Manufacturers are beginning to use customer data as a feedback mechanism. (Tesla)

43:44\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Keys to transforming. 1) Having an environment to try and 2) Creating an innovation department. (Google Glass. Azure.)

48:33\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 What will impact the future of work? Technology and the gig economy. (Oculus Rift)

52:47\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 AI will change roles within organizations.

Part 5: Wrapping up

55:02\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 \\u201cYou have all the technology at home and you\\u2019re waiting for work to catch up.\\u201d \\xa0

56:09\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0\\xa0 Follow Chris and Plex on social media.

Contact Chris Pesola:

• Chris\\u2019s LinkedIn
• Chris\\u2019s Twitter: @CRPesola

Contact Plex:

• Website
• Twitter: @PlexSystems

Contact Gregg Garrett:

• Gregg\\u2019s LinkedIn
• Gregg\\u2019s Twitter
• Gregg\\u2019s Bio

Contact CGS Advisors:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Twitter