As we step into 2025, the rapid pace of technological evolution and its intersection with business challenges is top of mind for many leaders. At our Virtual Think IT Event on Friday, industry experts Dan Gill, First Vice President of Product Engineering at Cambridge Investment Research Inc, Jeff Young, Chief Data Officer at Prime Therapeutics, Priya Senthilkumar, Vice President of Technology and Product Engineering at Pearson, and Craig Johnson, VP IT Operations at Prime Therapeutics, shared insights on key emerging trends and how organizations can adapt to this dynamic landscape. Here are the highlights:
Back to Basics: The Role of Talent and SynergyA recurring theme during the event was the importance of synergy between product and engineering teams. It was stated that strong relationships between these teams are vital. In 2025, a back-to-basics approach, emphasizing collaboration and talent optimization, is critical.
Organizations must assemble teams with complementary skills and foster environments where engineers contribute to problem-solving from day one. Leaders should deeply understand their teams' capabilities, a process that, while time-intensive, unlocks immense value.
A New Era for Hiring and Upskilling
The way companies hire and nurture talent is evolving. Tools like ChatGPT have enabled polished resumes, but hiring teams must look beyond surface skills to assess adaptability and potential. Panelists emphasized the need for transparent career pathways and goal alignment within organizations. This includes investing in tools and strategies to help employees upskill for future roles.
Balancing the talent mix by including senior experts, mid-level professionals, and junior associates prevents organizations from becoming top-heavy. By infusing new energy through fresh hires and supporting existing staff, companies can maintain agility.
Extreme Customer Obsession as a Differentiator
Hyper-personalized customer experiences are becoming the norm across industries, from education to healthcare. Brands must leverage data and AI to tailor their offerings to meet individual needs. For example, immersive learning experiences powered by VR and AR are revolutionizing education by creating personalized pathways for students.
Panelists shared examples of employees visiting customer sites to observe how solutions are used. These experiences often reveal inefficiencies and spark innovation. Embedding customer obsession into organizational culture ensures every team member prioritizes delivering value.
Strategic Technology Adoption
While cutting-edge technology is tempting, panelists cautioned against adopting tools without clear strategies. Overzealous implementation of AI or cloud solutions without proper architecture can lead to tech debt and financial strain. Companies should prioritize pilot projects and proofs of concept before committing significant resources.
They emphasized the importance of aligning technology investments with measurable KPIs and ROI. Leaders must evaluate whether investments align with strategic goals and deliver expected value.
The Talent Equation: Training and Retention
Balancing legacy system maintenance with innovation remains a challenge. Often, top talent is spread thin, managing competing priorities across development, support, and internal efficiency projects. The key takeaway was the importance of hiring, training, and mentoring employees to develop diverse skill sets.
Regular performance reviews, coaching programs, and career progression discussions are essential to retaining talent. Organizations must also address skill gaps to prepare for workforce transitions, including retirements or shifts in technology demands.
Navigating AI’s Impact on Work
AI’s potential to transform business processes was another focal point. From productivity tools to automation in customer service, AI can simplify tasks and allow employees to focus on higher-value work. However, adoption must include robust change management, cybersecurity measures, and clear value assessments.
As AI evolves, companies must adapt strategies quickly. Panelists stressed the need for flexible architectures to accommodate new tools and trends without disruption.
Cultural Foundations for Transformation
Cultivating the right culture is essential. Collaboration, transparency, and rapid decision-making were identified as key ingredients for success. Leaders must build trust within their teams by demonstrating consistent delivery and fostering open dialogue.
Organizations should ground their transformation strategies in maturity. Rushing to adopt new frameworks without mastering the basics often leads to failure. Companies should assess their current state, address gaps, and progress incrementally.
2025 promises to be a year of significant change, driven by AI, evolving customer expectations, and resilient talent strategies. Organizations that embrace customer obsession, strategic technology adoption, and a culture of collaboration will be well-positioned to lead. Success lies in mastering the fundamentals while staying agile enough to adapt to emerging trends. Thank you to everyone who joined the event and participated in the discussion!