Tarmacs, Tariffs, and Transformation – Rob Asen

Show Notes

Polaris is a production of Synozur – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease.

In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty and Rob Asen discuss the critical challenges of corporate transformation, the role of transformation offices, and the impact of AI on business strategies. They share insights from successful transformation projects, highlight common pitfalls to avoid, and outline a five-step process for effective transformation. Additionally, Rob shares his personal experiences with community service through flying patients and rescue dogs, emphasizing the importance of engagement and leadership in driving change.

Takeaways

• Transformation ≠ PMO++: A PMO ensures projects run; a Transformation Office owns the strategy and is empowered to make course corrections without months of re alignment. PMO = "doing things right;" TO = "doing the right things."
• Lead from the top (and closer to the work): Transformations only stick when the CEO and senior team are personally engaged, with the TO reporting at or near the top of the house. AI now lets leaders be "virtually hands on" deeper in operations.
• A 5 part operating lens—Vision, Leadership, Impact, Capacity, Measurement—keeps strategy connected to execution, prioritization, change absorption, and outcomes (not activities).  
• Be adaptive to shocks: Geopolitics (e.g., the new U.S. tariffs now in effect) and supply chain fragility demand faster decision cycles—exactly where a TO excels over a reporting only PMO.
• Reality check: Only about 12% of major transformations fully achieve their original ambition—raising the bar on the governance and empowerment a TO provides.  
• AI shifts roles: As AI reduces administrative overhead, PMO functions evolve, while executives gain better telemetry and can intervene at the right altitude—without substituting governance for management.  
• Human factor matters: Deep, credible sponsorship, clear trade offs, and authentic change management beat checklists and adoption dashboards every time.  

Sound bites ( Rob Asen)  

• "A PMO makes the trains run on time. A Transformation Office decides if we're even on the right railroad." 
• "Strategy needs the right to turn left—without a six‑month re‑alignment." 
• "AI won't replace leadership; it makes good leaders hands‑on at scale." 
• "If you can't measure impact, you're just admiring activity." 

References Business

Transformation Office success rates : ( Bain) — Only ~12% of major transformations meet original ambition. 

Long‑term sustainment : McKinsey — only 12% sustain transformation goals for 3+ years.

Rise of the Transformation Office / Chief Transformation Officer :  

Tariffs : Over the past two weeks, sweeping new U.S. tariffs entered into effect. See coverage from NBC, NYT and WEF.

Frozen raspberries & U.S. supply concentration (illustration of fragile chains): Washington State — especially Whatcom County — dominates U.S. frozen red raspberries production.

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