How do technology leaders justify million-dollar investments in ERP systems, AI, automation, and robotics?

In this Tech Bytes segment, Ashish Barve breaks down a clear, practical framework for building strong business cases that can stand up to executive and board scrutiny.

Ashish explains that every successful tech business case comes down to three essentials:

• A clear business objective

• Strong alignment with company strategy

• Tangible, measurable value

From improving forecast accuracy and shop floor efficiency to aligning technology with broader business goals, this conversation cuts through the “shiny new tool” mindset and focuses on what actually drives approval and impact.

Fanny Dunagan also explores how this framework applies not just to large enterprises, but to mid-size companies and manufacturers with tighter budgets and fewer resources. The takeaway: when cash is limited, clarity on objective, strategy, and value becomes even more critical.

If you’re a CIO, IT leader, supply chain executive, or business leader evaluating technology investments, this segment offers a practical lens you can use immediately.

Forget the hype… this is what AI really looks like on the ground.

In this Tech Bytes clip from the ‪@techlegacies‬ podcast, Ashish Barve shares what it takes to build analytics teams that actually drive business results, not just dashboards. From his early work at P&G’s Target team to today’s supply chain shifts, Ashish breaks down how data-driven decision-making has evolved and what’s coming next.

You’ll hear how AI is changing the roles of people on the manufacturing floor, what skills tomorrow’s workforce will need, and why the future isn’t people or machines… but people with machines.

You’ll learn:

• What leaders really asked for in weekly retail analytics meetings
• Why data-driven doesn’t just mean “more dashboards”
• What new human roles will emerge in AI-powered supply chains
• Why human intelligence is still critical in an AI world

Watch the full episode for more insights from Ashish’s leadership journey across supply chain, tech, and talent.

What happens when technology leaders truly understand the business they support?

In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving role of IT and supply chain leadership with Ashish Barve, exploring why being “bilingual” in both business and technology is no longer optional—it’s essential.

From demand forecasting and analytics to automation, robotics, and AI, this conversation unpacks how modern IT organizations have evolved from back-office support teams into value-driving, consultative partners across the enterprise.

You’ll hear real-world examples from manufacturing, retail, and supply chain operations, including:

• Why understanding the business context makes technology far more effective

• How analytics teams evolved from dashboard builders to strategic insight partners

• Lessons learned from supply chain disruptions during COVID

• How AI is improving demand forecasting accuracy and shop floor productivity

• Where robotics, AR, and automation are already transforming operations

• Common misconceptions leaders have about AI—and how to set realistic expectations

• What new human roles will emerge in an AI-enabled supply chain world

Ashish also shares a grounded, human perspective on the future of work, explaining why AI isn’t about replacing people—but empowering them to do higher-value work.

If you’re a CIO, IT leader, supply chain executive, or business leader navigating digital transformation, this conversation will give you practical insight into how technology can drive real business outcomes—today and in the years ahead.

In this episode of Tech Legacies Podcast, Ashish Barve, Tech Executive at a variety of Fortune 500 companies including, McKesson, Ecolab, Honeywell and P&G, shares hard-won insights on the intersection of technology, business value, and leadership. From demand forecasting to AI expectations, Ashish pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to drive digital transformation across global organizations.

You’ll hear about:

-The real-world impact of improving forecasting by just 5%

-Why supply chain success is about people, not just products

-How AI can both empower and frustrate if expectations aren't aligned

-The importance of being “bilingual” in both business and technology

-What it means to build your personal brand as a tech leader

-Mentorship, peer support, and building trust across every level

If you're a tech leader navigating complexity, or building a team that does, this conversation is packed with lessons you don’t want to miss.

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Connect with Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/

Connect with Ashish Barve on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishbarve/

Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter

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Timestamps:

00:00 – From the Shop Floor to CIO: Ashish Barve’s Global Tech Journey

01:03 – Starting on the Manufacturing Shop Floor and Entering IT

02:26 – Building Analytics Organizations at Honeywell and Ecolab

03:29 – Leading Digital Supply Chain at a Fortune 10 Company (McKesson)

04:42 – Why CIOs Must Be “Bilingual” in Business and Technology

05:55 – IT as a Value Driver: Revenue, Cost, and Capital Efficiency

06:10 – Why IT Has Become a Strategic Business Partner

07:12 – Common Business Challenges Across Sales, Finance, and Supply Chain

08:11 – The #1 Supply Chain Problem: Demand Forecasting and Demand Variability

09:30 – Why Productivity Gains Matter Most on the Shop Floor

10:05 – From Dashboards to Insights: The Evolution of Analytics Teams

11:16 – How...

What makes a university education relevant in a world where you can Google anything?

In this segment of Tech Legacies podcast, Gaurav Shekhar, Associate Dean at UT Dallas, explains the irreplaceable role of universities: not just to teach skills, but to develop independent thinkers who can solve tomorrow’s problems, even ones we haven’t even defined yet.

He also shares:

• Why corporate training and bootcamps can’t replace the big-picture thinking cultivated in universities
• How academic-industry partnerships with companies like Tableau and Alteryx build real-world readiness
• The power of gamified competitions to build confidence, teamwork, and industry-level problem-solving skills

Whether you're a student, educator, or lifelong learner, this conversation will change how you think about higher education and how it prepares future tech leaders.

What does it mean to teach and learn in an AI-first world?

In this thoughtful exchange, Gaurav Shekhar, Associate Dean at UT Dallas, explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping higher education, the future of work, and our understanding of what only humans can do. From AI’s historical roots to its sudden leap into mass adoption, he shares why we’re now in the “golden age of AI” and why embracing it responsibly is essential.

Topics include:

Why AI isn’t new… but it is newly accessible

How educators are rethinking AI use across different types of courses

The meaning of “responsible AI” in legal, social, and ethical terms

How AI is helping us rediscover the value of human connection

Watch this clip to hear how Gaurav is preparing students for a future shaped by AI but still powered by humanity.

What happens when a curious kid in New Delhi never puts his hand down?

Gaurav Shekhar, Associate Dean at UT Dallas, reflects on how growing up in India shaped his leadership style, his love of experimentation, and his passion for bridging academia with industry. In this episode of Tech Legacies Podcast, Gaurav shares personal stories of fearless curiosity, supportive teachers, and why he now walks into meetings without a pitch deck… and leaves with a mission.

You’ll hear:

• Why childhood encouragement matters more than we realize
• How to start powerful conversations with just one question
• The value of showing up without a script and leading with purpose

What if college is preparing you for something deeper than just technical skills?

In this episode, Fanny Dunagan sits down with Gaurav Shekhar, Associate Dean at the University of Texas at Dallas, who shares what higher education really teaches and why confidence, independent thinking, and real-world connections matter more now than ever.

We dive into:

✅ The “confidence gap” no one talks about in school

✅ How universities can stay relevant in the age of AI

✅ The power of mentorship and bridging academia with industry

📌 Whether you're a student, mid-career professional, or industry leader, this episode will challenge your assumptions about education, talent, and the future of work.

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Connect with Fanny Dunagan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/fannydunagan/

Connect with Gaurav Shekhar on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gauravshekhar/

Want to build your authority and brand as a tech leader? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates, a free branding guide and 1-hour training for tech professionals: https://techlegacies.ck.page/newsletter

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