#United States #Boston #HFS Research #Global Advisory Board #Enterprise Transformation

HFS Research Launches Global Advisory Board

HFS Research has unveiled an ambitious initiative: the formation of its Global Advisory Board, which brings together eight influential leaders from various sectors of enterprise technology, consulting, and business model innovation. This strategic move is designed to offer invaluable insights and influence to Global 2000 executives as they confront the complexities associated with AI-driven transformations in their businesses.

The newly established board boasts a collective experience exceeding $500 billion in enterprise transformation, drawing from former CEOs, global consulting experts, technology innovators, and academic pioneers who have significantly influenced the tech landscape over the years.

Addressing the Strategy-Execution Gap

One of the primary goals of this Advisory Board is to tackle a critical issue in the enterprise space: the gap between theoretical research and its practical execution. As organizations grapple with challenges such as AI implementation, workforce transformation, and operational resilience, conventional consultancy methods often provide insufficient actionable strategies.

Phil Fersht, the CEO and Chief Analyst at HFS, articulated this concern by stating, "Enterprise leaders don't need more white papers—they need proven frameworks from executives who’ve successfully executed transformations at scale." The Global Advisory Board is hence positioned as a group of leaders who have navigated transformations worth billions, built formidable global delivery models, and successfully integrated emerging technologies in some of the world's most sophisticated enterprises.

Strategic Impact Areas

The HFS Global Advisory Board plans to influence five key dimensions:
1. Market Intelligence and Research Direction
- The board will challenge and refine HFS's research priorities to better align with real-world enterprise complexities, covering emerging technologies, evolving business models, and the macroeconomic factors impacting transformation decisions.
2. C-Suite Engagement and Strategic Dialogue
- By facilitating exclusive roundtables and peer advisory sessions, the board aims to connect senior executives with research insights that resonate with boardroom priorities.
3. Academic-Enterprise Innovation Bridge
- The board will foster collaborations between cutting-edge academic research and practical business applications, ensuring that breakthrough innovations translate into competitive advantages.
4. Global Thought Leadership Platform
- Members will participate in HFS Summits, executive podcasts, and industry panels to elevate discussions around pressing transformation challenges that organizations face today.
5. Market Credibility and Influence Amplification
- Using their collective industry expertise and networks, the board will enhance HFS's presence and credibility within enterprise technology discourse, striving to hold vendors accountable.

Meet the Inaugural Advisory Board

1. Frank D'Souza – Co-founder and Former CEO, Cognizant
- Developed Cognizant from a startup to a $16+ billion global technology leader.
2. Malcolm Frank – Former President, Cognizant Digital Business, and CEO of TalentGenius
- Known for pioneering digital transformation and AI-driven talent strategies.
3. CP Gurnani – Former CEO and MD, Tech Mahindra
- Drove substantial revenue growth in one of India's largest IT services transformations.
4. Steven Hill – Former Vice Chairman, KPMG
- Played a critical role in defining consulting strategies for one of the largest professional services firms.
5. Mark Hodges – Former Founder of Equaterra and key executive at Exult, the first BPO company
- Co-created the term