Tarmacs, Tariffs, and Transformation
- Chris McNulty
- Aug 20
- 4 min read
Do the Right Thing(s) with Rob Asen
You are navigating transformation in a noisy year. In the past two weeks, sweeping U.S. tariffs took effect and rattled planning across supply chains—an example of how fast external forces now demand internal agility.
That context is exactly why I invited Rob Asen, who leads our Transformation Office at Synozur, to join me on Polaris. We dug into a simple but powerful idea: if you want different outcomes, you need a different operating model. A traditional Project Management Office (“PMO”) is essential, but it’s not enough. A Transformation Office (TO) keeps the North Star front‑and‑center, is empowered to adjust strategy as conditions change, and works shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the PMO to pace the portfolio at what your organization can truly absorb.
What’s different about a Transformation Office?
A PMO’s charter is execution, reporting, and vendor/financial hygiene—critical work. A TO is keeper of the strategy and has the authority to make course corrections without six months of re‑alignment meetings. In Rob’s phrase,
PMO = doing things right; TO = doing the right things.
And with AI now giving executives far better telemetry, leaders can be “virtually hands‑on” deeper in operations—without micromanaging.
A five‑lens playbook you can use tomorrow.
We organized the episode around five lenses that keep strategy tethered to decisions:
Vision — the explicit why and the non‑negotiables.
Leadership — senior sponsors hands‑on, not in name only.
Impact — value‑based prioritization and trade‑offs, not activity.
Capacity — how much change your customers and teams can really absorb.
Measurement — behavioral adoption, mid‑term operating KPIs, and enterprise outcomes.
If this sounds like common sense, the data reminds us it’s not yet common practice. In recent studies, only ~12% of major transformations fully achieve their original ambitions, and only 12% sustain results for 3+ years — evidence that governance without empowerment doesn’t change outcomes.
AI changes the altitude of leadership.
Rob and I explored how AI is automating PMO busywork while expanding an executive’s line‑of‑sight into real operations. That shift lets leaders stay on the balcony and still reach the dance floor when it counts—without substituting dashboards for judgment.
When shocks hit, the TO earns its keep.
Whether you’re reacting to a tariff schedule, a regulatory turn, or a supply concentration (think: U.S. reliance on specific regions for frozen raspberries or semiconductors), the TO shortens the path from insight → decision → reprioritization → delivery.
A human note: purpose scales performance
Something I admire about Rob: he carries his purpose beyond the boardroom—flying medical patients with https://skyhope.org and supporting pet rescues through https://www.pilotsnpaws.org. The same mindset shows up at work: transformation is about improving people’s lives—customers, employees, and communities—not just shipping projects.
Where to go next
If your strategy reads like a list of projects, consider standing up a Transformation Office that is empowered, measured by outcomes, and joined at the hip with your PMO.
Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks.
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.
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.
TSMC & semiconductor dependence (mentioned)
Guest
PALS SkyHope (Patient AirLift Services) — free medical flights
Pilots N Paws (animal rescue flights)
Events
TribalNet Conference | September 14-18, 2025, Reno Nevada
London Tech Leaders Summit | October 7-8., 2025 Minster Building - London UK
Experts Live | October 10, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square
Vancouver AI Summit | October 19-20, 2025 Vancouver BC
TechCon 365 Dallas - | November 3-7, 2025 (Dallas, TX). Irving Convention Center
Microsoft Ignite 2025 – Nov 17-21, 2025 (San Francisco, CA).
ESPC25 (European SharePoint Conference 2025) | Dec 1-4, 2025 (Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) Dublin, Ireland).
Production
Polaris is produced with the help from Riverside.fm. Our theme song, “Alternative Dream” is provided courtesy of Adobe. Additional music and sound provided by IndieGuy Records. Graphic design by Josh Brantley.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:27 Data Points and References
02:30 Introducing Rob Asen
06:58 The Impact of AI on Transformation Offices
11:36 Leading Transformation Projects: A Personal Story
11:37 Defining the Transformation Office
21:48 The Telecom Transformation Journey
23:30 Avoiding Transformation Pitfalls
28:11 Recommendations for Successful Transformation
33:42 The Impact of Personal Experiences
39:00 Upcoming Events
39:58 Closing
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