From CIO to CBO: Lenin's Journey Through Tech Evolution and the AI Revolution
In this expert interview, We had exclusive conversation with Lenin Gali, CBO of Atomic Work, as he shares insights on the evolution from IT to business-driven technology, AI adoption challenges, and why most organizations will become obsolete by next decade.
Summary
Lenin, Chief Business Officer at Atomic Work and founder of the Global CIO Circle, shares his unique perspective on technology evolution, having transitioned from CIO to startup executive. In this candid conversation, he discusses the misconceptions between IT and business teams, why CIOs are risk-averse, the importance of building relationships over transactions, and his bold prediction that most existing organizations will become obsolete within the next decade. Lenin also reveals his networking secrets, explains why he maintains an open calendar, and offers actionable advice for founders navigating the AI era.
Description
This episode features an in-depth conversation with Lenin, a technology executive who has successfully bridged the gap between IT operations and business strategy. Currently serving as CBO at Atomic Work, Lenin brings three decades of experience across startups and enterprise organizations.
Key Topics Covered:
The evolution from "making technology work" to "making business work with technology"
Why CIOs appear risk-averse and the real constraints they face
The critical importance of trust in new technology adoption
Lenin's networking philosophy: always offer help first
Why most existing organizations will become obsolete by 2035
The three eras of technology: compute, processing, and intelligence
How AI is creating superhuman capabilities and new opportunities
Practical advice for founders building in the AI space
The Global CIO Circle vision and community building
Lenin's Background:
Lenin has held leadership positions across multiple functions - from data analytics to IT operations to business strategy. His unique journey from CIO (buyer of technology) to CBO (seller of technology) provides rare insights into both sides of enterprise technology adoption. He's also an active angel investor, startup advisor, and founder of the Global CIO Circle, bringing together 200+ CIOs from the world's largest companies.
This conversation offers practical wisdom for founders, technology leaders, and anyone interested in understanding how AI is reshaping business and organizational structures.
Transcription Summary
Transcription Summary with timestamps
[00:05] AI offers opportunities but poses risks for existing organizations.
- Organizations face obsolescence in the next decade without adapting to AI advancements.
- AI encourages a rethinking of traditional business challenges with innovative solutions.
[02:08] Technology's evolution from an enabler to a business driver is critical.
- Historically, technology was primarily an operational tool, focusing on functionality rather than enhancing employee productivity.
- Current trends emphasize technology's role in being business-friendly and justifying its value for organizations, moving towards innovative solutions.
[06:57] CIOs must build relationships with founders for mutual growth and learning.
- Building strong connections allows CIOs to advise startups and enhance software development collaboratively.
- CIOs should embrace innovation and risk-taking, particularly in the context of evolving technology like AI.
[09:23] CIOs must cautiously introduce technology due to risks and compliance issues.
- CIOs face challenges in deploying new technology due to governance and compliance restrictions, which impacts their decision-making.
- Trust in the reliability and security of new technologies is essential, requiring time and a thorough evaluation of potential risks.
[14:03] Creating opportunities for individuals to invest and advise startups.
- Individuals often overlook the chance to engage with startups as investors or advisors, thinking it’s only for VCs.
- A growing network and community around startup investment has emerged, leading to the establishment of circles for collaboration and support.
[16:15] Effective networking prioritizes genuine relationships and offering help.
- Sustainable relationships are built over time through consistent effort and energy.
- Offering assistance without immediate expectations fosters trust and reciprocity in networking.
[20:24] The importance of intentional networking amidst busy schedules.
- Restricting oneself on networking opportunities helps maintain quality conversations and valuable time management.
- Balancing commitments often leads to sacrificing personal time, illustrating the necessity of prioritizing relationships.
[22:24] Organizational and technological maturation enhances efficiency and drives innovation.
- As companies and employees evolve, they utilize automation and resource reuse to improve processes.
- The rise of data and AI enables superhuman capabilities, emphasizing the need for responsible usage in society.
[27:00] Concerns arise from the rapid growth of applications in AI environments.
- The proliferation of both sanctioned and unsanctioned applications has increased organizational risks.
- Founders must assess the sustainability and category-defining potential of new AI applications to meet evolving business needs.
[29:07] Tech debt drives innovation opportunities in the evolving business landscape.
- As business problems evolve, outdated solutions become less effective, prompting a need for new, advanced architectures.
- We're transitioning into an intelligence era where data and advanced capabilities redefine solution development for future challenges.
[33:34] Key strategies for product growth and customer engagement.
- Emphasize ease of use and scalability to enhance adoption and leverage capabilities.
- Build products based on customer feedback and insights while fostering a talented team.
[35:49] Founders must build expansion capabilities to pivot when reaching market limits.
- Ignoring the need for expansion can result in hitting a wall where growth is stalled due to lack of market fit.
- Targeting the right market segment is crucial; focus should be on mid-market opportunities to ensure scalability and velocity.
[40:23] Employee-centric products enhance organizational effectiveness.
- Products must align with employee needs and integrate seamlessly into systems applications.
- CIOs play a crucial role in transitioning offerings to include security and technology applications.