Creative Ops Compass

In Focus Consulting
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Creative Ops Compass explores the operational challenges that cost in-house creative teams time, money, and strategic influence. Each episode digs into a specific problem, from stakeholder misalignment to capacity planning to proving ROI, and delivers practical solutions drawn from real teams at large organizations. Hosted by Jesse Krinsky, founder of In Focus Consulting and a creative operations consultant with 20 years of experience leading and advising creative teams at companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, The Economist, Samsung, and Johnson & Johnson.

Episodios

  1. HACE 2 DÍAS

    Stop Taking Orders, Start Asking Questions: Stakeholder Whispering with Bill Shander

    Bill Shander, author of Stakeholder Whispering, explains how to shift from reactive execution to strategic partnership by uncovering what stakeholders actually need before starting work. He shares the Socratic method for guiding conversations without creating defensiveness, why bringing external expertise (not just creative talent) builds credibility with business stakeholders, and what CMOs can implement tomorrow to build cultures where strategic thinking becomes the default. About the Guest Bill Shander has spent 30 years bridging the gap between creative work and business strategy, specializing in data visualization and storytelling. He teaches organizations like the World Bank, multiple US government agencies, and major consulting firms how to transform complex information into compelling narratives. His book, Stakeholder Whispering: Uncover What People Need Before Doing What They Ask, addresses the fundamental problem that keeps creative teams reactive: stakeholders rarely know what they actually need, and most creatives don't know how to uncover it. Bill also teaches courses on LinkedIn Learning and speaks internationally on data storytelling, stakeholder alignment, and strategic communication. Key Topics Discussed How to get stakeholders to understand and reveal what they actually needWhy hitting pause before execution is one of the most important skills creatives can developHow CMOs can use "useful paranoia" to run weekly 15-minute sessions where teams question one underlying assumptionWhy AI executes orders perfectly but only humans can read context, body language, and ask the unexpected questions that lead to better work Connect with Jesse Take the free Creative Ops Assessment at www.infocusconsulting.net/creative-ops-assessmentConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out at jesse@infocusconsulting.net

    27 min

  2. 10 FEB

    What Going In-House Taught Me About Stakeholders - with Jen Perry

    Why do creatives assume stakeholders don't care about good work, while stakeholders assume creatives are precious artists who can't handle feedback? That fundamental misunderstanding damages relationships, undermines creative quality, and keeps teams stuck in reactive, order-taking mode. In this episode, Jen Perry, Executive Creative Director at Vagrants, shares what she learned by doing something most creatives never do: going in-house, then returning to the agency world. That dual perspective gave her rare insight into the pressures both sides face. She explains how to build genuine empathy with stakeholders, why information sharing is a core leadership responsibility, and what it takes to position creative teams as business partners instead of service providers. About the Guest Jen Perry is the Executive Creative Director at Vagrants, a creative studio in Boston. She spent 15 years at traditional network agencies including BBDO, Deutsch, and Hill Holiday before moving in-house to build and lead a creative team at a tech company. Unlike most creatives who go in-house and never return, Jen went back to agency life with a fundamentally different understanding of stakeholder pressures, business constraints, and what it takes to connect creative work to business outcomes. Key Topics Discussed Why traditional agencies separate creatives from clients and how that stunts professional growth, especially when creatives go in-houseThe empathy gap: what creatives misunderstand about stakeholders and what stakeholders misunderstand about creativesPractical ways to build empathyWhy information-sharing is a core part of creative leaders’ jobs Connect with Jesse Take the free Creative Ops Assessment at www.infocusconsulting.net/creative-ops-assessmentConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out at jesse@infocusconsulting.net Subscribe & Review If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a review. Your feedback helps other creative leaders find the show and shapes future episode topics.

    26 min

  3. 26 ENE

    How To Bridge the IT-Creative Divide and Get the Infrastructure You Need - with Lisa M. Watts

    Why do some in-house creative teams thrive while others get caught in an endless cycle of being brought in-house, then outsourced, then rebuilt, then eliminated again? In this episode, Lisa M. Watts, CEO and Founder of CREE8, explains why infrastructure designed for velocity looks completely different than infrastructure designed for cost control. She shares practical frameworks for reframing conversations with IT departments, scaling distributed teams securely, and proving strategic value through metrics that actually matter to the C-suite. About the Guest Lisa M. Watts is the CEO and founder of CREE8, a cloud-native production platform built around a “Studio-in-a-Box” infrastructure designed to give creative teams visibility into their work, control over their assets, and the velocity brands now demand. Before founding CREE8, Lisa spent nearly 25 years at Intel, where she pioneered initiatives including the first VR esports league and Intel's first virtual CES booth. She's a member of the Television Academy (Emmys), Forbes Business Council, and Hollywood Professionals Association. Under her leadership, CREE8 won the 2025 NAB Show Product of the Year Award and has executed three strategic acquisitions to build an end-to-end platform for creative production teams. Key Topics Discussed The IT department disconnect: why creative infrastructure needs look like "apples and oranges" to ITHow to reframe infrastructure conversations from cost control to velocity and business outcomesWhere technical infrastructure steals time from strategic creative workWhy "velocity minus control plus AI equals chaos" Connect with Jesse Take the free Creative Ops Assessment at www.infocusconsulting.net/creative-ops-assessmentConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out at jesse@infocusconsulting.net Subscribe & Review If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a review. Your feedback helps other creative leaders find the show and shapes future episode topics.

    20 min

  4. 7 ENE

    How To Make DAM Management Actually Work with Phil Seibel

    Why do some DAM implementations transform how teams work while others become expensive digital filing cabinets that nobody trusts? In this episode, Phil Seibel of Aldis Systems explains why the platform is never the problem. The real difference between owning a DAM and having an effective DAM system comes down to governance, resourcing, and understanding your team's actual workflows. Phil shares practical frameworks for planning DAM implementation, avoiding the side project trap, and building systems around how people actually work rather than theoretical best practices. About the Guest Phil Seibel is a digital librarian with Aldis Systems, a media asset management company that helps organizations implement, optimize, and manage DAM programs. Phil brings a library science background to the technical challenges of digital asset management, focusing on user journey mapping, metadata governance, and building sustainable systems. At Aldis, Phil works with enterprise clients across industries to design DAM programs that align with actual workflows and deliver measurable ROI. Key Topics Discussed The critical differences between owning a DAM platform and having an effective DAM systemWhy governance matters more than platform featuresThe questions teams don't ask that they should about user journeys and workflowsResourcing options: hiring internally, fractional support, or full outsourcingThe risks of treating DAM management as a side project Connect with Jesse Take the free Creative Ops Assessment at www.infocusconsulting.net/creative-ops-assessmentConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out at jesse@infocusconsulting.net Subscribe & Review If you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a review. Your feedback helps other creative leaders find the show and shapes future episode topics.

    23 min

  5. 18/12/2025

    Why Your Failed Creative Ops Initiative Deserves a Second Chance (And How to Know When)

    We've all heard the quote about insanity being "doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." It's often attributed to Einstein, which makes it feel like scientific fact. But it's complete nonsense. In this minisode, Jesse challenges this widely misquoted phrase and explores why in-house creative teams give up too easily on initiatives that failed once. From DAM system proposals to strategic positioning efforts, creative leaders often let one "no" define the future. But conditions change. People change. Your team's capabilities grow. Jesse breaks down how to diagnose why past initiatives failed, identify when conditions have actually shifted, and determine when it's strategic (not stubborn) to try again. Key Topics DiscussedWhy the "insanity" quote is factually wrong on multiple levelsHow in-house creative teams hold themselves back after one failed attemptThe diagnostic framework: separating stakeholder readiness from solution qualityReal client example: strategic positioning that failed two years ago but succeeded recentlyWhen you genuinely shouldn't try again (and how to know the difference)Three specific signals that conditions have shifted enough to warrant a second attemptConnect with JesseLearn more about Jesse's work at www.infocusconsulting.netConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to suggest a topic for the show? Reach out to Jesse at jesse@infocusconsulting.netSubscribe & ReviewIf you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a review. Your feedback helps other creative leaders find the show and shapes future episode topics.

    9 min

  6. 02/12/2025

    Setting the Stage: In-House Studios with Lauren Jensen

    Most creative leaders think asking for a smaller budget will help them get approval for a studio. They're wrong. In this episode, Lauren Jensen of Provost Studio explains why that approach backfires, and shares the frameworks she uses to help in-house teams navigate the complex process of winning studio approval. From deciding whether to build in the first place through execution and beyond, Lauren reveals why this is fundamentally a transformation project about people and relationships, not technology and equipment. About the GuestLauren Jensen is Vice President of Growth and Partnerships at Provost Studio, a firm that designs broadcast studios and camera-ready branded spaces for major corporations including NASCAR, Atlanta United, and Fortune 500 companies. She helps creative teams translate technical needs into business language that resonates with leadership, and guides them through the organizational challenges of securing approval, building internal partnerships, and executing studio projects. Before joining Provost Studio, Lauren spent over a decade working at experience design agencies and led transformation initiatives at Disguise, a virtual production technology company. Key Topics DiscussedWhether building makes sense versus continuing to rent or outsourceWhy asking for too little budget is one of the biggest mistakes creative teams makeBuilding authentic relationships with Facilities, IT, and other internal partners earlyManaging the studio approval process alongside day-to-day responsibilitiesWhy studios should be treated as transformation projects, not just technical upgradesWhat happens after the build: preparing for unexpected demand and use casesConnect with LaurenLearn more about Provost Studio at www.provost-studio.comConnect with Lauren on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurendjensen/Follow Provost Studio on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/provost-studio/Connect with JesseLearn more about Jesse's work at www.infocusconsulting.netConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out at jesse@infocusconsulting.netSubscribe & ReviewIf you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a review. Your feedback helps other creative leaders find the show and shapes future episode topics.

    25 min

  7. 19/11/2025

    Embracing Risk with Tim Bradley

    Jesse speaks with Tim Bradley, founder of Pennant Video, about why in-house creative teams tend to play it safe and what that caution costs them over time. Tim shares insights from running a video agency that collaborates regularly with internal teams, revealing the dynamics that keep teams stuck in risk-averse patterns and the practical steps leaders can take to break the cycle. About the GuestTim Bradley is the founder of Pennant Video, a mid-funnel focused video agency specializing in the critical trust-building phase of the buyer's journey. With expertise in helping brands communicate new positioning, support sales kickoffs, and capture customer stories, Tim works alongside in-house creative teams at inflection points where speed, focus, and objectivity matter most. He brings a unique outside perspective on what holds internal teams back and what makes creative partnerships genuinely productive. Key Topics DiscussedWhy in-house teams are more risk averse than external agenciesThe compounding cost of playing it safeThe case for protected timeWhat to look for when evaluating agency partnersBuilding strategic value through internal relationships and calendar visibilityConnect with TimLearn more about Pennant Video at www.pennantvideo.comConnect with JesseLearn more about Jesse's work at www.infocusconsulting.netConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out at jesse@infocusconsulting.netSubscribe & ReviewIf you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a review. Your feedback helps other creative leaders find the show and shapes future episode topics.

    25 min

  8. 30/10/2025

    The Great Mandate Debate

    In this solo episode, Jesse tackles a question that comes up constantly with in-house creative teams: should there be a mandate requiring stakeholders to work with you instead of external agencies? Jesse shares his honest perspective on why mandates often backfire, when they might actually make sense, and what it takes to build a team that stakeholders choose to work with rather than one they're forced to use. Key Topics DiscussedWhy mandates can signal weakness and create the perception that your team can't compete on meritThe backfire effect: getting compliance without enthusiasm, trust, or early strategic involvementThe benefits when stakeholders work with external vendors (exposure to new approaches and concrete case studies for your value)Three scenarios where limited, temporary mandates might be strategicConnect with JesseLearn more about Jesse's work at www.infocusconsulting.netConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinsky/Have a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Jesse at jesse@infocusconsulting.netSubscribe & ReviewIf you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a comment. Let Jesse know what creative ops challenges you're facing and what topics would help your team work better.

    11 min

  9. 23/10/2025

    Navigating Change with Priya Shah

    In this episode, Jesse speaks with Priya Shah, CEO and founder of Shah Squared Consulting, about one of the most frustrating challenges for in-house creative teams: getting process improvements to actually stick after implementation. Priya brings over 15 years of experience helping global companies, startups, and mission-driven organizations enhance their social media presence and operations. In this conversation, she shares hard-won insights about why implementations fail, how to get real stakeholder buy-in, and practical strategies for maintaining momentum long after consultants leave. About the GuestPriya Shah is the CEO and Founder of Shah Squared Consulting, a fractional communications firm that helps healthcare and B2B organizations enhance their digital presence through strategic comms and employee advocacy. With her proprietary Shah Squared Communications Model™, she connects authentic storytelling with measurable business results. Key Topics DiscussedWhy teams default back to old processes despite knowing better ways existOvercoming team members' fears about consultants and changeThe critical difference between one-to-many and one-to-one stakeholder communicationFinding and leveraging internal champions at all levels (not just leadership)Creating sustainable roadmaps that account for daily workload realitiesWhy cultural differences impact change adoption in global organizationsMain TakeawaysAddress the fear factor directlyTeam members often see consultants as "the Bobs" from Office Space. Counter this by showing how new processes free them up for more strategic, visible work rather than threatening their roles. Customize your message to each stakeholderAs Priya said, "If they care about numbers, come with numbers. If they care about visuals, come with visuals. Speaking their language is essential for buy-in." Think beyond the roadshow approachBig Zoom meetings where you announce "here's how you work with us now" often fail. Invest in one-to-one conversations where you can read verbal and nonverbal cues. Build in grace periodsImplementation isn't a light switch. Create manageable phases, and be okay with pausing during big campaigns or busy periods. Progress beats perfection. Look beyond senior leadership for championsPeer-to-peer influence can be more powerful than top-down mandates. Find your hand-raisers at every level. Resources MentionedLearn more about Jesse's work at www.infocusconsulting.netConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyConnect with JesseHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Jesse at jesse@infocusconsulting.net Subscribe & ReviewIf you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a review. Your feedback helps other creative leaders find the show and shapes future episode topics.

    21 min

  10. 23/10/2025

    Building Agency Partnerships with Joel Kaplan

    Jesse speaks with Joel Kaplan, founder of MK3 Creative, about how in-house creative teams can build stronger, more productive relationships with external agencies. Joel shares nearly 30 years of insights from the agency side, revealing what separates one-off projects from long-term partnerships and how better communication in the intake process saves both time and money for everyone involved. About the GuestJoel Kaplan is the founder of MK3 Creative, a Boston area creative agency with nearly three decades of experience working with clients ranging from small internal creative departments to major corporate teams. Joel brings a unique perspective on what makes agency relationships work, having seen firsthand the communication breakdowns, missing information, and stakeholder challenges that can derail even well-intentioned projects. Key Topics DiscussedThe critical elements of an effective creative briefHow to get stakeholders involved early without losing controlQuestions to ask that clarify creative direction and decision-making authorityManaging the line between helpful input and micromanagementWhat it takes to maintain long-term agency partnershipsMain Takeaways1. Start with a solid briefThe more information you provide upfront, the better the creative concepts and budgets you'll receive. A well-written brief saves time on both sides by preventing unnecessary rounds of revisions and proposals that miss the mark entirely. 2. Talk about budget earlyWorking through concepts without budget guidance is ”like driving with your eyes closed”. Whether you provide an exact number or a range, give your agency partners enough information to propose ideas that actually fit what you're trying to accomplish. If you're unsure about budget, have a conversation about back-of-the-napkin ranges before formal proposals begin. 3. Get stakeholders involved early in the processBuild time into your project timeline for key decision makers to weigh in before the end. Ask stakeholders what they've seen that they like, get their vision upfront, and include them in at least one early conversation with the agency. Otherwise, you're setting yourself up for scope changes, blown budgets, and starting over when someone at the top finally sees the work. 4. Clarify creative direction and decision-making authorityBe clear about where the agency comes into the process. Do you need them to develop concepts from scratch, or do you have ideas you want them to execute and enhance? And be honest about who has final approval. 5. Keep your eye on the ballWhen personalities, preferences, or shiny objects threaten to distract from the core goal, bring the conversation back to the fundamentals: who is the audience and what is the message? Every decision, from script writing to edit points, should serve those objectives.. Connect with JesseLearn more about Jesse's work at www.infocusconsulting.netConnect with Jesse on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessekrinskyHave a creative ops challenge you're facing? Want to be a guest on the show? Reach out to Jesse at jesse@infocusconsulting.netSubscribe & ReviewIf you found value in this episode, please subscribe to Creative Ops Compass and leave a review. Your feedback helps other creative leaders find the show and shapes future episode topics.

    23 min

  11. TRÁILER DE LA TEMPORADA 1

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    Welcome to the Creative Ops Compass podcast!

    1 min

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Creative Ops Compass explores the operational challenges that cost in-house creative teams time, money, and strategic influence. Each episode digs into a specific problem, from stakeholder misalignment to capacity planning to proving ROI, and delivers practical solutions drawn from real teams at large organizations. Hosted by Jesse Krinsky, founder of In Focus Consulting and a creative operations consultant with 20 years of experience leading and advising creative teams at companies like Thermo Fisher Scientific, The Economist, Samsung, and Johnson & Johnson.

Información

  • Creador
    In Focus Consulting
  • Años de actividad
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodios
    11
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © 2025 In Focus Consulting
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    Creative Ops Compass