Épisodes

  • 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
  • Microsoft Ignite 2025 - Day One News on Copilot and M365

    Microsoft Ignite 2025 - Day One News on Copilot and M365
    Nov 18 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 discusses the latest innovations announced at Microsoft's Ignite conference, focusing on AI advancements in Microsoft 365. Key topics include the introduction of Work IQ, the centralized management platform Agent 365, new features in Office apps, enhancements in Outlook for AI powered scheduling, and the role of SharePoint in AI-driven collaboration. The episode also highlights the Knowledge Agent for automating metadata management. Takeaways Work IQ is Microsoft's new data layer that lets Copilot and agents understand roles, responsibilities, and collaboration patterns—turning generic prompts into context‑aware guidance.Agent 365 centralizes agent governance (registry, Entra agent IDs, conditional access, Purview/Defender signals) inside the Microsoft 365 admin center—so IT can inventory, permission, and quarantine agents.Office Agents & Agent Mode arrive for commercial Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, enabling document, analysis, and deck creation directly from chat—with transparent steps and model choice where enabled.Outlook updates: voice triage, context‑aware one‑tap prompts, and a "Schedule with Copilot" flow that auto‑builds invites and agendas from email context. Video: Sora 2 integration enters Microsoft 365 via a Frontier early adopter path for Copilot licensees—enterprise controls, watermarking, and audio. SharePoint is the "CMS for AI": Copilot now reasons over metadata, pages, images, sensitivity‑labeled content—raising answer precision; Knowledge Agent helps auto‑suggest and tag columns and is included with M365 Copilot licenses starting in January (site‑level opt‑in).What to do next: name and explain Work IQ internally, stand up Agent 365 guardrails, pilot Office Agents with clear KPIs, prep for Sora 2, and amplify SharePoint news via Viva Amplify. Key Quotes - Chris McNulty "If LLMs are the CPUs of the AI cloud, Copilot just became the operating system for work.""Work IQ is the difference between canned answers and advice that fits how your team actually gets work done.""Agent 365 finally moves us from shadow bots to managed, measurable automation.""Metadata is the secret sauce—it's why Copilot can do things you still can't do in generic chat tools." References Microsoft Official Copilot News: https://aka.synozur.com/msftcp25 Microsoft Official SharePoint News https://aka.synozur.com/msftsp25 Synozur Blog on Copilot News https://aka.synozur.com/copilot-ignite25 Synozur Blog on SharePoint News https://aka.synozur.com/sharepoint-ignite25 Synozur Blog https://www.synozur.com/insights Events Microsoft Ignite 2025 overview and registration — https://ignite.microsoft.com/en-US/homeignite.microsoft.com ESPC25 (Dec 1–4, 2025, Dublin) — https://www.sharepointeurope.com/sharepointeurope.com Microsoft 365 Community Conference 2026 (Orlando) — https://m365conf.com/m365conf.com TechCon 365 Conference Series — https://www.techcon365.com/portal/techcon365.com AI+IM Global Summit 2026 (AIIM) — https://www.aiim.org/aiim-global-summit-2026aiim.org Fintech Meetup 2026 (Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas) — https://www.fintechmeetup.com/homefintechmeetup.com 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 Intro to Microsoft Ignite 2025 01:14 Copilot News 08:02 SharePoint News 11:42 What does it all mean? 14:15 Upcoming Events 15:33 Next on Polaris 15:55 Thanks and Credits
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    17 min
  • On Point with SharePoint - Adam Harmetz

    On Point with SharePoint - Adam Harmetz
    Nov 13 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 speaks with Adam Harmetz, Corporate Vice President for SharePoint at Microsoft. They discuss Adam's career journey, and the significant role of AI in knowledge management. The conversation delves into how SharePoint is evolving as a knowledge engine for AI, the importance of community feedback in product development, and the future of information management. Adam shares insights on balancing customer needs with product focus and reflects on the pride he feels in the SharePoint community as it approaches its 25th anniversary. Takeaways Data volume is exploding: Our world generates around 2.5 million terabytes of data every day and 90 percent of existing data was created in the last two years. Harnessing this data tsunami requires AI-powered tools that curate and surface the right information at the right time.AI adoption is mainstream: Studies show over 77 percent of companies are either using or exploring AI to drive productivity, and about 65 percent of organizations are already using generative AI to improve operations.Searching wastes time: Research suggests that knowledge workers spend nearly 19 percent of their workweek searching for and gathering information. AI-driven knowledge agents present a huge opportunity to reduce that overhead and focus teams on higher-value tasks. SharePoint's massive scale: SharePoint now serves over a billion users worldwide and processes more than two billion pieces of content every day. It has evolved from a portal into the collaboration and knowledge backbone of Microsoft 365. Intelligent content curation: Microsoft's new Knowledge Agent enriches documents with metadata, analyzes pages to fix broken links, retires outdated pages and creates new pages from simple prompts. Enriched metadata enables Copilot and agents to deliver deterministic, context-aware answers.Preparing for multiple futures: Adam Harmetz argues that work will likely involve a blend of chat-centric AI experiences and rich, branded intranets. Organizations should ensure their content is AI-ready and prioritize clear governance and metadata so they can pivot as technology evolves.The human element: SharePoint's passionate community underscores the importance of trust and empathy. Adam stresses nurturing, informing and listening to people who place their careers on a platform. Synozur's people-first philosophy aligns with that ethos, emphasizing partnerships and tailored, business-focused outcomes. Sound bites Adam Harmetz, CVP for SharePoint, Microsoft "When AI is looking for answers, SharePoint often becomes the primary citation source—almost double the next source"."Semi-structured data in SharePoint is the sweet spot for enterprise AI: structured enough to apply more structure, yet collaborative enough to capture everyone's voice"."The future won't be a clean break; it will be a split world where humans and agents co-evolve and reason over shared data stores"."In these paradigm shifts, it's better to ask why and how than to dwell on why not — great product making happens when we respect our customers' trust and solve real pain points." References Industry Data growth statistics: Our discussion referenced IFLScience's report noting that the world produces roughly 2.5 quintillion bytes (≈2.5 million terabytes) of new data each day, and 90 percent of existing data has been created in the last two years. ChatGPT adoption: We noted that ChatGPT amassed 100 million monthly active users within two months of launch, making it the fastest-growing consumer app in history.AI adoption statistics: According to AI Statistics, 77 percent of companies are using or exploring artificial intelligence in their operations. The CloudFactory blog cites McKinsey research indicating that about 65 percent of organizations were actively using generative AI by late 2025. Knowledge worker productivity: A Forbes column summarizes an IDC/McKinsey study showing that knowledge workers spend roughly 19 percent of their time searching for and gathering information. SharePoint usage: Microsoft reveals in its SharePoint blog that customers add over two billion pieces of content every day. At the 2025 M365 Community Conference, Jeff Teper announced that SharePoint has surpassed one billion users and runs two billion Power Automate flows each week. Knowledge Agent: Microsoft's official blog post "Introducing Knowledge Agent in SharePoint" outlines how the agent enriches and organizes content, suggests metadata columns, fixes broken links and helps build AI-friendly pages. Metadata & deterministic AI: Another SharePoint showcase explains how metadata understanding yields more precise, context-aware answers from Copilot and agents.AI models: Google's generative image model Nano Banana can combine and edit ...
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    44 min
  • AI for Nonprofits - Tori Miller-Liu & Andrew Borg

    AI for Nonprofits - Tori Miller-Liu & Andrew Borg
    Oct 1 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. Nonprofits are moving from AI experiments to governed, human‑centered deployments. AIIM's Tori Miller‑Liu and Synozur's Andrew Borg share field lessons, from "conversational search" that cites sources to coalition‑driven ethics and the EU AI Act's impact horizon. Takeaways AI is a force multiplier, not a headcount reducer. The biggest value today is in accelerating research, finance, content triage, and enterprise search—so your people spend more time on strategy and relationships. Governance is behind adoption. Surveys show most nonprofits use AI in some form, but comparatively few have formal policies—an exposure area leaders should close. Regulation is real—and staggered. The EU AI Act is now law (entered into force Aug 1, 2024) with phased obligations through 2026; even non‑EU orgs will feel its ripple effects via vendors and data flows. "Frontier Firm" playbook is emerging. Microsoft's 2025 Work Trend Index highlights human–agent teams and "intelligence on tap"; nonprofits can apply the same operating model to scale impact responsibly. Ethics + belonging are differentiators. Keep human connection in the loop—AI can process, route, and answer, but it shouldn't replace the sense of community members join for. Start with existing platforms. Many nonprofit tech vendors now ship AI capabilities; piloting within your current stack reduces cost, risk, and time to value. Data privacy & access control are non‑negotiable. Especially for nonprofits working in sensitive contexts—design for minimum necessary data and tight permissions from day one. Sound bites Tori Miller‑Liu "Use AI to multiply value—not replace people. Our job is advancing member outcomes, and AI helps us do more of that." "Belonging beats the bot. Let AI handle transactions; keep humans where community and trust are built." "Start where you are: pilot inside the tools you already own before building from scratch." Andrew Borg "For nonprofits, AI is a force multiplier on training wheels—powerful, but it still needs guardrails." "Keep AI at arm's length ethically. Until models have a moral core, humans must stay accountable." "Cooperate to accelerate. Sector coalitions let nonprofits share tools, data, and hard‑won lessons." "Don't buy the hype—buy outcomes. The winners align AI to real missions and measurable value." References Guest Notes Tori Miller‑Liu (LinkedIn): CEO of AIIM (Association for Intelligent Information Management) Andrew Borg (LinkedIn):Head of Ethical AI & Nonprofits at Synozur Industry Notes 82% of nonprofits are using AI; Nonprofit Quarterly: "Sector Adopting AI, Building Reserves, and Expanding Missions European Commission: "AI Act enters into force" (Aug 1, 2024) Fast Forward's accelerator program saw six times more AI-powered nonprofit applicants than the year before: Stanford Social Innovation Review: "Mapping the Landscape of AI‑Powered Nonprofits" 300% increase since 2018 in the use of AI to address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Google.org (Research brief)) IBM watsonx Assistant (conversational search / RAG) ASAE: Association Coalition for AI (ACAI) Forbes Coverage of MIT "GenAI Divide" ROI findings (context for '95% fail' headline) Jared Spataro from Microsoft on defining the "frontier firm" and on 'headline hype' obscuring the real buseinss value of AI. NetHope "AI Lighthouse" for Nonprofits (responsible AI resources) Culture Notes Avett Brothers and "Swept Away" on Broadway (official) Events Experts Live | October 10, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square CollabDays New England 2025 | October 17, 2025 Microsoft New England in Burlington MA Vancouver AI Summit | October 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 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 to AI and Its Impact 01:51 News and Data Points 03:42 Tori Miller-Liu and Andrew Borg 06:10 AI in Nonprofits: Opportunities and Challenges 08:04 The Dichotomy of AI Perception 10:50 Governance and Risk in Nonprofits 13:44 AI as a Force Multiplier 16:03 The Future Workforce and AI 16:38 The Role of Education in AI Utilization 19:52 Human-AI Interaction and Ethical Considerations 21:53 AI's Role in Enhancing Community Engagement 24:30 Cooperation Among Nonprofits 27:24 Advice ...
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    40 min
  • Trendspotting - The Future of AI with Michael Tchong

    Trendspotting - The Future of AI with Michael Tchong
    Sep 11 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 and futurist Michael Tchong, founder of the Ubertrends Academy, discuss the profound impact of AI on society, the workforce, and the economy. They explore the rapid advancements in AI technology, the potential for job displacement, and the need for upskilling in the workforce. Michael emphasizes the importance of understanding the trends and innovations that AI brings, as well as the cultural shifts that accompany these changes. The conversation highlights the urgency for businesses and individuals to adapt to the evolving landscape shaped by AI. Takeaways AI's Disruption Is Here: AI is already transforming work and society on a massive scale – a change many experts call even bigger than the internet revolution. Leaders can't ignore it. Adaptation Is Key: Rather than fearing automation, organizations must focus on upskilling talent and using AI to streamline workflows. Those who leverage AI will outpace those who don't. In Michael's words, "Everyone needs to upskill… that's the only way you're going to survive." Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain: New tech often displaces jobs initially (especially entry-level roles). But if harnessed correctly, AI can boost productivity and create new opportunities – similar to how desktop publishing eventually made print bigger, not smaller. Real Problems, Not Just "Me-Too" Tools: Michael argues today's AI boom is filled with copycat chatbots. The real value will come from AI solving everyday pain points – for example, automating tedious workflows so people can focus on creative, high-value work. Quality vs. Quantity: With generative AI, it's now easy to pump out content – including low-quality "AI slop." In the long run, either AI will learn to produce truly high-quality results, or people will seek out human authenticity. (Think of it as a "flight to humanity," where authenticity becomes a differentiator.) Stay Ahead of the Wave: Michael's motto is, "I help you catch the next wave before it catches you." The message: be proactive. Understand the trends (like AI) shaping your industry, and lead with them – don't chase them after the fact. Sound bites Michael Tchong: "AI is the biggest revolution – even larger than the internet itself.""With AI, we're going to get a 10× wave of unforeseen effects on society.""Everyone needs to upskill in AI – it's the only way you're going to survive.""The #1 pain point for everyone is: why does it take so freaking long to do anything? Workflow is the biggest opportunity for AI to boost productivity." Chris McNulty: "Every breakthrough is social before it's technical. What changes the wires changes us.""Either AI gets better at quality, or there will be a flight to humanity – people craving authentic, human work.""AI won't replace people. But people using AI will replace those who don't." References Michael Tchong University of San Francisco – https://www.usfca.edu Michael Tchong serves as an adjunct professor of innovation at USF Ubertrends – https://www.ubertrends.com Ubertrends Academy, Michael Tchong's trend forecasting & innovation academy (and title of his book "Ubertrends – How Trends and Innovation Are Transforming Our Future"). Michael Tchong on LinkedIn Industry News ChatGPT reached 100 million users in its first two months (Source: Ubertrends) Only 17% of U.S. adults expect AI to have a mostly positive impact on society in the next 20 years (Source: Pew Research Center) 18% of work globally could be automated by AI, affecting 300 million roles (Source: Goldman Sachs) Society & Culture Open Letter on AI Pause – In 2023, Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, and 1,000+ tech leaders signed an open letter urging a 6-month pause on advanced AI development, warning of "profound risks to society"[5]. Teens & AI Therapy –28% of parents report their teen has used AI for emotional support (Source: Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Connected Kids (2025)) Ford CEO on Jobs – Jim Farley (Ford Motors) predicted at Aspen Ideas Festival that "AI is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the U.S.". (Source: Ford Authority.) John Oliver's Take – On HBO's Last Week Tonight, John Oliver discussed how it's not going to be AI replacing lawyers; it's going to be lawyers with AI replacing lawyers without it. "The Victorian Internet" (book by Tom Standage) chronicles how the 19th-century telegraph revolutionized communication, spurring phenomena from instant stock quotes to the first "online" romances – a reminder that technology has long disrupted social norms. Events TribalNet Conference | September 14-18, 2025, Reno Nevada London Tech Leaders' Summit | October 7-8., 2025 Minster Building - right near the Tower of London - London UK Experts Live | October 10, 2025 at ...
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    36 min
  • Tarmacs, Tariffs, and Transformation – Rob Asen

    Tarmacs, Tariffs, and Transformation – Rob Asen
    Aug 20 2025
    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. TSMC & semiconductor dependence (mentioned) Guest Rob Asen (Synozur Transformation Officer): LinkedIn 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. Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks. 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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    41 min