Couverture de Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

De : Chris McNulty
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 Synozur – the transformation company – is an advisory agency that reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of leadership and strategy with ease. We deliver strategic advisory services and help define your "North Star" for business excellence. Polaris helps chart the course for business, technology and leadership transformation.2025 Economie Management Management et direction
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    • Copilot, Culture & the Cloud: 2025 at Synozur

      Copilot, Culture & the Cloud: 2025 at Synozur
      Dec 23 2025
      Polaris is a production of Synozur – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Four Synozur leaders - Michelle Boyd, Michelle Caldwell, Joshua Christensen & Shari Oswald – join Chris McNulty on a special holiday edition of Polaris to reflect on 2025's seismic shifts in AI, the gap between technology and organizational maturity, and why 2026 will separate those who merely adopted tools from those who fundamentally transformed how work gets done. KEY TAKEAWAYS Agentic AI arrived in force in 2025 – Microsoft Copilot evolved from a helpful assistant into an embedded constellation of specialized agents across M365 applications, fundamentally changing how teams operate daily. The maturity gap is widening – Technology advancement is dramatically outpacing organizational readiness, with leadership capability now becoming the real constraint rather than the technology itself. End-user training is no longer optional – Organizations are finally realizing that responsible AI adoption requires structured learning programs, not just tool deployment—people need guidance on how to have conversations with AI, not just search for keywords. AI shifted from tech talk to leadership discussion – The conversation evolved from "what can AI do?" to "how do we govern it responsibly?" with leaders focused on accountability, trust, and cultural impact rather than just features. Authenticity beats perfection – From pop culture to business strategy, 2025 rewarded genuine human connection, long-form conversation, and immersive shared experiences over polished soundbites and surface-level engagement. Strategy without execution discipline won't cut it in 2026 – Organizations that invest in people, governance, and AI fluency alongside their technology will significantly outperform competitors who only focus on tools. Decision support is the new frontier – The most sophisticated organizations are operationalizing AI as a decision-making backbone, using it to surface insights, test scenarios, and challenge assumptions in ways that augment human judgment. Sound Bites Michelle Boyd (Head of Delivery Excellence, Synozur) "We're not just talking about AI anymore—we're living it. We leverage that agentic embedded experience across the M365 environment every single day, and it's become a game changer for how we operate and how we help our customers." "AI can surface insights I probably wouldn't have connected on my own. There's the gut check—sometimes we see results and think 'that's not exactly right for me'—but other times AI connects dots I would have missed." "Organizations on the tip of the spear in AI adoption are going to start using it as an operational backbone—leveraging it for decision-making possibilities, setting up scenarios, and getting recommendations that inform strategy." Michelle Caldwell (CEO, Synozur) "AI stopped being just a technology conversation and became a leadership discussion. The real questions shifted to accountability, trust, and how leaders make decisions in an AI-augmented world." "Technology maturity is outpacing organizational maturity. We're not looking at a technology problem—we're looking at an organizational and leadership maturity challenge." "In 2026, we'll see two types of organizations: those that adopted AI tools and those that fundamentally redesigned how work gets done. The gap between them will be significant. AI fluency becomes table stakes for leadership." Joshua Christensen (Head of Future of Work and Product Strategy, Synozur) "We're going to find more clients who invested in AI over the last year but haven't seen returns. You can't just cast a wide net and pray something good comes out. You've got to narrow your focus and dive deep." "This is not a button you just turn on and everything's automatically great. It takes thought, initiative, planning, and some hard truths about your organization—not just how it's run, but how your technology stacks were built." "People that aren't in technology are finally clinging to what generative AI actually is—understanding it's a completely different breed from what they thought AI was, and realizing the true implications." Shari Oswald (Learning Experience Officer, Microsoft MVP, Synozur) "I'm so happy to see a refocus back on the end users this year. With the rise of AI, people are realizing their teams need to be trained. Companies are refocusing on learning, and this is probably one of my best years ever." "When you search, you get content. When you use AI, you get context—but you also have to provide context. It's like coaching a teenage child to do chores. You can't just say 'take out the trash'—you need to give them all the parameters." "I had 310 people in my Ignite session on prompting 101. People are not comfortable. They don't...
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      37 min
    • Larry Namer: The Kid from Coney Island Who Invented Modern TV

      Larry Namer: The Kid from Coney Island Who Invented Modern TV
      Dec 22 2025
      Polaris is a production of Synozur – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Summary Larry Namer, co-founder of E! Entertainment Television, shares his remarkable journey with Chris McNulty on Polaris - from working underground installing cables in Manhattan to building a multi-billion-dollar global media empire that transformed celebrity culture, pioneered red carpet coverage, and expanded entertainment across 140 countries—plus his insights on AI, thinking globally, and why passion alone isn't always the answer. Takeaways Technology Creates Opportunities for the Bold: Larry started E! with just $2.5 million and 31 interns when competitors needed $60-100 million, proving that constraints can drive innovation and focus when you understand the technology landscape. Think Globally from Day One: E! expanded to 14 countries in its first year by recognizing that the world loves Hollywood content—a lesson that applies to any business in today's interconnected marketplace. Embrace AI as a Creative Amplifier, Not a Replacement: Larry uses AI tools like Perplexity to reduce business plan creation from five days to one hour of editing, freeing time for higher-value creative work and strategic thinking. The Medium Shapes the Message: From broadcast to cable to streaming, each technological shift doesn't just change distribution—it fundamentally transforms what content can be and how audiences engage with it. Follow Competence, Not Just Passion: Larry's advice challenges conventional wisdom: most people confuse passion with hobbies. Instead, find something you're good at, work until you're great, and that mastery will become your passion while funding your hobbies. Know When to Pivot: Assess your projects regularly. Time is your most valuable asset, and successful entrepreneurs recognize when market conditions, technology, or regulations have changed enough to warrant a new direction. Low-Cost Innovation Beats High-Budget Imitation: E! succeeded by getting premium content (movie trailers, celebrity footage) for free and surrounding it with low-cost production, following MTV's model but applied to entertainment instead of music. Sound bites - Larry Namer On Entrepreneurship and Rejection: "We were rejected over 100 times. In one meeting with a VC, the guy literally took the business plan and threw it at my head and said, 'How dare you insult me with such a piece of garbage?'" On AI and the Future: "Anybody who's not learning AI and how to bring AI into their equation is going to get left behind. It's an unbelievable creative tool. It used to take me five days to research and create a business plan. Now it takes me 30 seconds with AI, then an hour to edit it." On Global Thinking: "Stop thinking of just the US as being the only market. You got to think globally. If you think of what the foreign markets are, you could create things that may resonate for the whole world." On Passion vs. Mastery: "Most people confuse their passion with their hobby. Find something that you're good at, work your butt off until you become great at it, and then that'll become your passion, which will then give you enough financial resources to enjoy your hobbies." References Larry Namer's Company & Social Media LJN Media (Larry Namer's company): https://www.ljnmedia.com Larry Namer on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-namer Larry Namer on IMDb: Larry Namer - IMDb Larry Namer on Wikipedia: Larry Namer - Wikipedia Larry Namer's Book "Offscript: Recipes for Success" by Larry J. Namer: https://www.amazon.com/Offscript-Recipes-Success-Larry-Namer/dp/B0DVNY8KH6 [Amazon] Larry Namer's Upcoming Projects The Immigrant Podcast (launching on YouTube and Spotify) Pamela Anchang, Will Launch A Lifestyle Show with Heart, "The Immigrant Podcast" in January with Larry Namer, Founder of E! Entertainment - Formidable Woman USStall Talk (women's empowerment podcast) Stall Talk Podcast (@stalltalkbabes) • Instagram photos and videos Cultural References & Locations Coney Island, Brooklyn, New York: Visitor Information | Coney Island Fun Guide | New York Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs: Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs & Restaurants | Nathan's Famous Star Trek: The Next Generation Syndication | Memory Alpha | Fandom The Kardashians: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Kardashians Companies & Networks Mentioned E! Entertainment Television: HBO (Home Box Office): CNN: TBS (Turner Broadcasting System): MTV (Music Television): Netflix: YouTube: TikTok: Spotify: Fox Broadcasting: Personalities & Shows Mentioned Jon Stewart (The Daily Show, Talk Soup alumnus) Jon Stewart - Wikipedia Jimmy Kimmel (Jimmy Kimmel Live!) Greg Kinnear (Talk Soup host) Craig Kilborn (Talk Soup host) Howard Stern (The Howard Stern Show) Tom Cruise (actor) Arnold Schwarzenegger (actor) ...
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      46 min
    • Humanity as a Strategy - Ed DeAngelis

      Humanity as a Strategy - Ed DeAngelis
      Nov 26 2025
      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 interviews Ed DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors, who shares his journey of transforming a roofing company into a leader in the construction industry through a focus on servant leadership and a people-first approach. Ed discusses the challenges faced in the construction sector, the importance of creating a win-win culture, and how humanity plays a crucial role in business success. He emphasizes the need for vulnerability in leadership and the impact of AI on the future of the industry. Takeaways Humanity as a Strategy Treating employees as human beings first—before focusing on transactions—unlocks greater loyalty, performance, and organizational success. Win-Win Beats Zero-Sum Moving away from "I win, you lose" thinking to collaborative partnerships creates sustainable success with employees, vendors, and customers alike. Leadership Evolution Takes Time Shifting from command-and-control to servant leadership requires patience—not everyone will come along, and that's okay. Vulnerability Is a Superpower The best leaders know what they don't know. Humility and vulnerability build trust far more effectively than projecting invincibility. Accountability and Care Coexist Being people-first doesn't mean avoiding accountability—you can hold people to high standards while still treating them humanely. The Human Brain Outpaces AI While AI will automate mundane tasks, human emotion, creativity, and the ability to dream remain irreplaceable competitive advantages. Culture Attracts Talent In an industry facing a shortage of 439,000 workers, creating a best-in-class environment makes your organization the top choice for skilled talent. Sound bites Ed DeAngelis Quotes "Humanity as a strategy. Be strategic on how you want to treat your people as humans first. Secondarily, you will then treat them where there's a transaction in there—but first treat them as a human." "Vulnerability is one of the greatest assets of a great leader. The best leaders I've ever dealt with are so humble to the point that they know what they don't know." "I'm not afraid of artificial intelligence, but I'm also not afraid of the value of humanity of humans. The human brain is a thousand times more powerful than an artificial intelligent brain." "A robot can only do what the robot can do. A human being with the right focus on their emotion, their drive—they are way more powerful." References Guest Information: Ed DeAngelis [ LinkedIn] – CEO, Servant Leader, Believer in "Humanity as a Strategy" EDA Contractors – Specializing in exterior envelope solutions for commercial, institutional, and industrial buildings Titan 100 – Ed DeAngelis was named one of Philadelphia's top 100 CEOs in 2025 Business Companies and Organizations Mentioned: Zappos – Known for customer-centric and people-first culture Starbucks – Pioneer in employee-focused corporate culture Google – Recognized for innovative workplace culture Southwest Airlines – Famous for servant leadership approach Vanguard – Founded by John Bogle, known for client-first philosophy Statistics and Data Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Source: approximately 49.9% of businesses fail within five years Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) – Source: The construction industry needs 439,000 new workers in 2025 Pop Culture Sports Reference: Philadelphia Eagles – Super Bowl LIX Champions (February 2025), defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22. Jalen Hurts named Super Bowl MVP. Events ESPC 25 (European SharePoint Conference) – December 1-4, 2025, Dublin, Ireland Strategy, Now With AI – January 6. 2026 (Teams Webinar) M365 Community Days DC – January 29-30, 2026 (Arlington, Virginia) Production Polaris is produced with 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. Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 00:45 Introducing Ed DeAngelis 01:34 News and Data Points 03:10 Welcoming Ed to Polaris 05:27 Career Journey and Entrepreneurial Spirit 07:55 Current Business Climate and Challenges 10:18 Leadership Evolution and Style 12:33 Creating a People-First Culture 14:48 Implementing Change and Overcoming Resistance 19:08 Navigating Different Paths in Business Relationships 19:41 The Power of Humanity in the Workplace 22:45 Leadership Beyond Transactions 25:41 The Strength of Vulnerability in Leadership 27:00 The Future of the Construction Industry 30:17 The Impact of Pop Culture on Leadership Philosophy 34:28 Upcoming Events and Community Engagement 35:44 Gratitude and Reflection During ...
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      38 min
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