Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Chris McNulty
  • 5.0 (4)
  • TECHNOLOGY

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.

  1. AI for Nonprofits - Tori Miller-Liu & Andrew Borg

    OCT 1

    AI for Nonprofits - Tori Miller-Liu & Andrew Borg

    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 for Nonprofits on AI Adoption 33:43 Cultural Reflections and Personal Insights 37:36 Upcoming Tech Events Overview 38:29 Closing and Acknowledgments

    40 min

  2. SEP 11

    Trendspotting - The Future of AI with Michael Tchong

    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 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 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 01:11 Terms and Data Points 03:32 Introducing Michael Tchong 05:24 The Rise of AI and Its Impact 07:07 Future of Work and Labor Market 09:50 AI in Marketing and Business Transformation 11:20 Agentic AI 14:27 Conclusion and Future Directions 30:22 Cultural Influences 32:57 Upcoming Tech Events and Conferences 34:03 The Impact of Technology on Society 35:16 Closing

    36 min
  3. Tarmacs, Tariffs, and Transformation – Rob Asen

    AUG 20

    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. 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

    41 min
  4. Content without Compromise – Inside the M-Files & Microsoft Alliance

    AUG 1

    Content without Compromise – Inside the M-Files & Microsoft Alliance

    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 hosts Ryan Barry from M-Files and Ian Story from Microsoft to discuss the evolving landscape of content management, particularly in light of their new partnership. They explore how AI is transforming traditional content management systems, the unique offerings of M-Files, and the importance of unstructured data in leveraging AI effectively. The conversation highlights the benefits of their collaboration, which allows organizations to utilize the strengths of both M-Files and Microsoft without having to choose between them. The episode concludes with insights into future trends in content management and the significance of tailored solutions for specific industries. Key Takeaways ·       Content is Exploding: The $73 billion content management market is booming, with enterprise data volumes expected to reach 175 zettabytes by 2025 — most of it unstructured. Businesses need effective solutions to transform this information into insights. ·       No More Either/Or: The partnership between M-Files and Microsoft removes the old dilemma of choosing between a specialized system and Microsoft 365. Now, clients benefit from M-Files’ purpose-built content management solution for industry use cases natively within Microsoft 365, blending collaboration with structure. SharePoint Embedded serves as the storage backend, enabling native Office co-authoring, and native access to M-Files content for Copilot, while keeping content within Microsoft’s compliance framework for unified security and governance. ·       AI-Ready Content: This joint solution also prepares organizations for the future of AI. By combining M-Files’ semantic architecture with Microsoft’s AI tools, companies elevate their AI solutions, ensuring accurate and relevant information is accessed by LLM technologies. SharePoint provides broad content services while M-Files delivers out of the box solutions for industry use cases —allowing businesses to tailor solutions to their needs without fragmentation of their investment in Microsoft. ·       User Adoption through Simplicity: Ultimately, this seamless approach encourages user adoption. Employees can work in familiar apps while M-Files manages content in the background, promoting compliance and readiness for the AI era. · Sound bites Ryan Barry (M-Files) – Vice President, Strategic Operations & Corp Dev “In the next five years, every organization – big or small – will be challenged to find a way to effectively implement AI… because they’ll be left behind if they don’t.” “A document management system is basically a structured approach to your unstructured data. That’s how you make AI work for you – garbage in, garbage out.” “We’ve eliminated a painful choice for customers. You no longer have to pick between the Microsoft platform and a specialized solution – now you get both, seamlessly.” “The reality is, the lowest common denominator tends to prevail. Whatever is easiest for users is what happens. This partnership makes the right way the easy way.” Ian Story (Microsoft) – Principal Architect, OneDrive & SharePoint “This is some of the biggest news in content management since SharePoint itself. Two former rivals are teaming up – and the result is greater than the sum of its parts.” “Everybody loves the library… nobody wants to be the librarian. We need tools that organize and govern information for you, without extra effort.” “If you’ve ever named a file ‘Final_final_V2.doc’, you know you need a better content management system!” “Language is the rocket fuel of AI, and language lives in documents. By bringing all your content into one intelligent system, you’re filling your AI’s tank with high-octane fuel.” References M-Files and Microsoft M-Files – https://www.m-files.com Microsoft – https://www.microsoft.com SharePoint Embedded Ryan Barry – M-Files VP Corp Dev Ian Story – Microsoft Principal Architect M-Files & Microsoft Partnership Press Release – Microsoft SharePoint Blog – “SharePoint Embedded & M-Files: a new wave of document management” Forrester Blog (Cheryl McKinnon) – “M-Files Deepens Microsoft Integration” Content Management IDC Data Age Report – Global Datasphere to reach 175 ZB by 2025 Congruity360 Blog – Unstructured Data Stats (80% & 95%) AIIM Industry Research – “No single ECM system” Pop Culture “Happy Gilmore 2” - July 2025 Dodgers vs. Red Sox - July 2025 – Red Sox take the series in Fenway, 2-1. Kirk Gibson 1988 HR – The Natural in real life Events FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies - August 26 (Teams Online) London Tech Leaders' Summit | October 7-8., 2025 (London UK) Minster Building Experts Live | October 10, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Vancouver AI Summit | October 20, 2025 (Vancouver BC) – Harbour Centre 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 The Rise of AI in Content Management 01:40 Terms and Data Points 03:20 Navigating the Challenges of Unstructured Data 03:28 Introduction and Backgrounds 05:48 The Partnership Announcement 07:27 Sportsball - Red Sox and Dodgers 09:13 In the News: M-Files and Microsoft 10:21 M-Files Now Native to Microsoft 365 12:30 Customer Reactions and Market Impact 15:16 The Value Proposition of the Partnership 24:29 Content Management and Human Nature 25:21 What's SharePoint Embedded? 30:07 Understanding the Value of Content Management 31:58 The Role of AI in Content Management 37:37 Future Trends in Content Management 41:42 Personal Insights and Recommendations 45:35 Upcoming Events 46:46 Closing Thoughts

    48 min
  5. From Lean to Lead – A Consultant-Turned-Owner Story – Damien Lacey

    JUL 29

    From Lean to Lead – A Consultant-Turned-Owner Story – Damien Lacey

    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 Damien Lacey, an expert in operational excellence, about his journey from a consultant to a business owner. They discuss the importance of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies in today's business landscape, the challenges of acquiring a business, and the cultural shifts that come with ownership. Damien shares insights on balancing strategy with operations, the impact of AI on productivity, and offers advice for small business owners looking to improve their operations. References      Guest Tru Steel – Tru Steel is a steel fabrication company in Australia acquired by Damien Lacey and his team to implement operational excellence firsthand. The company designs, manufactures, and installs steel buildings, and serves as a real-world example of Lean transformation in action. OE Partners – Damien’s consulting firm, specializing in operational excellence. Damien Lacey – Founder of OE Partners and Principal at Tru Steel Business Lean and Six Sigma – Lean and Six Sigma are proven methodologies for improving productivity and reducing waste. They’ve been applied across industries for nearly a century, helping businesses streamline operations and solve problems through data-driven decision-making. McKinsey & Company – Referenced for research on global disruptions and the resurgence of Lean Six Sigma as a top continuous improvement approach (including a mining case of 25% output boost) Entrepreneur Magazine – Cited for the “Silver Tsunami” statistic: over 12 million boomer-owned small-to-mid businesses in the U.S. are poised for sale as baby boomers retire, creating a buyer’s market for transformational change Bosch (Robert Bosch GmbH) – Global engineering and manufacturing company where Damien first implemented Lean practices (Bosch Production System), referenced in his career story Toyota – Automotive company famed for the Toyota Production System; referenced as the source of many Lean principles (Damien worked at Toyota to learn from “the source” of Lean)   Pop Culture The Who – Rock band referenced via the song “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (lyric: “meet the new boss, same as the old boss”) as a pop culture touchpoint about leadership change Star Trek – Iconic science fiction franchise (Original Series, Next Generation, Voyager) cited as a personal influence illustrating teamwork and problem-solving, contrasted with today’s bite-sized media Events Seattle Tech Week |  July 28 - August 1, Seattle WA FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies | August 26 (Teams Webinar) Tribal Net Conference | September 14-18, 2025, Reno Nevada London Tech Leaders' Summit | October 7-8, 2025,- London UK Experts Live | October 10, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Vancouver AI Summit | October 20, 2025 Vancouver BC TechCon 365 Dallas - | November 3-7, 2025 (Dallas, TX) Microsoft Ignite 2025 – Nov 17-21, 2025 (San Francisco, CA) ESPC25 (European SharePoint Conference 2025) | Dec 1-4, 2025 (Dublin, Ireland) Takeaways Lean applies everywhere: Lean and Six Sigma principles have been proven across industries – the question isn’t if they fit your business, but how to leverage them in your operations. Operational excellence is timely: In an era of supply chain disruptions, inflation, and labor shortages, continuous improvement methods are seeing a resurgence as companies seek efficiency and resilience. Transformation through ownership: Damien Lacey’s journey from consultant to business owner highlights the difference between advising on improvements and implementing them on the front lines, providing a firsthand perspective on change leadership. Balance strategy and execution: Even the best strategies fail without execution – success comes from iterating improvements while keeping the business running, “not letting perfect be the enemy of the good.” Empowering small businesses: Many small-to-mid size business owners feel their operations are too chaotic or custom to improve, but Damien shows that by standardizing processes and addressing root causes, there is a path out of the chaos to greater control and efficiency. Leadership and culture matter: Continuous improvement requires a culture of ongoing learning and problem-solving. Leadership must support building processes (even when prior success came from instinct) to make improvements sustainable beyond any one person’s know-how. Future-focused advantage: Embracing operational excellence and new technologies (like AI) in tandem will widen the gap between average companies and excellent ones – those slow to improve risk falling behind, while adopters can dramatically outperform peers. Notable Quotes (Damien Lacey) “It’s not a question of whether Lean applies to my business. It does, and it has – the question is how do I apply it in my business.” “Business owners will embrace an idea quickly if it gives them a result, and dismiss it equally quickly if it doesn’t.” “You’ve got to choose to iterate – not letting perfect be the enemy of the good.” “The gap between the average company and an excellent company will widen… businesses that don’t adopt better methods will fall by the wayside.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Damien Lacey 04:06 Damien's Journey in Engineering and Consulting 06:53 Current Trends in Supply Chain and AI 09:25 Operational Excellence: Lean and Six Sigma 10:30 Acquiring True Steel: The Transition to Ownership 13:21 Insights from the Business Acquisition Process 17:13 Cultural Shifts in Business Ownership 19:51 Balancing Strategy and Operations 22:08 Misunderstandings in Operational Excellence 25:15 Starting the Journey to Improvement 27:58 The Future of Operational Excellence and AI 29:21 Personal Insights and Influences 31:38 Conclusion and Staying Connected 32:00 Upcoming Tech Events Overview 33:35 Wrap-Up and Guest Insights Production Polaris is produced with the help of 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.

    35 min
  6. The King of Data Migration Magic with Jordan (Uytterhagen)

    JUL 22

    The King of Data Migration Magic with Jordan (Uytterhagen)

    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 Jordan Uytterhagen, CEO of Cadence Solutions, about the critical role of data migration in the age of AI. They discuss the challenges organizations face when transitioning to modern platforms like Microsoft 365, the importance of information architecture, and the need for effective governance during migration. Jordan shares insights on user behavior, best practices for successful migrations, and the tools Cadence offers to streamline the process. The conversation also touches on future trends in data management and personal reflections on business culture. Notable Quotes (Jordan Uytterhagen) “You go from Jetsons technology at home to Flintstones technology at work.” “Co-authoring is a huge change management win without really needing to do anything.” “Anyone can get data into SharePoint — the hard part is getting it out of the old system.” “There are filers and there are pilers, and you can’t make one into the other.” References Industry Forbes – Reference about modernizing legacy data platforms for AI readiness. CIO Magazine – Article on consolidating outdated systems onto modern platforms to cut costs and complexity. Gartner – emphasizing that careful planning and risk management in data migrations leads to more successful outcomes. OpenText – an enterprise content management software suite often used for document and records management. Kofax – , a software company specializing in document capture, OCR, and automation solutions for digitizing content. Guest Jordan Uytterhagen - LinkedIn Cadence Solutions – the boutique firm founded by Jordan Uytterhagen, focused on data migration and information governance (Microsoft 365 specialist). Pop culture The Jetsons – a 1960s animated sitcom set in a futuristic world of advanced technology (shorthand for “modern tech”). The Flintstones – a 1960s animated sitcom about a Stone Age family (shorthand for “outdated tech”). It was created to be a primetime  Stone Age cartoon based on The Honeymooners with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. Shoe Dog – a memoir by Nike co-founder Phil Knight, recounting the scrappy early days and growth of Nike. The Founder –  a 2016 biographical film starring Micheal Keaton about Ray Kroc and the expansion of the McDonald’s franchise. Air (2023) – a 2023 film dramatizing Nike’s pursuit of a young Michael Jordan and the creation of the Air Jordan sneaker line starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Too Big to Fail - a 2009 book by Andrew Ross Sorkin (and later an HBO film) detailing the 2008 financial crisis and the collapse of Wall Street institutions. The Big Short – a 2015 film (based on Michael Lewis’s book) that portrays a few investors who bet against the 2008 housing bubble and profited from the financial crisis. American Greed – a CNBC true-crime documentary series that profiles cases of corporate fraud and white-collar crime. Moneyball – a 2011 film (based on a book) about the Oakland A’s baseball team using data analytics to build a competitive roster on a budget, with Brad Pitt, Chris Pratt and Jonah Hill War Dogs – a 2016 film based on the true story of two young men who became unlikely arms dealers for the U.S. government, again with Jonah Hill and Miles Teller Events M365 Community Days NYC | July 25, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Seattle Tech Week |  July 28 - August 1, Seattle WA TechCon 365 Atlanta | August 11-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center. FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies - August 26 North American Collaboration Summit | September 7-9 Branson. MO TribalNet Conference | September 14-18, 2025, Reno Nevada London Tech Leaders’ Summit | October 7-8., 2025 London UK Experts Live | October 10, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Vancouver AI Summit | October 20, 2025 Vancouver BC Takeaways Modernize for AI: True AI readiness begins with a solid data foundation. Jordan explains that moving content from old systems to modern cloud platforms is key before using advanced AI tools. Without accessible data, even the best AI models can’t provide value, so modernization is essential. Use Your Cloud Investments: Many organizations already pay for Microsoft 365 yet don’t fully use it. Migrating legacy data unlocks built-in features and cuts costs by retiring outdated systems. Jordan shares examples where clients used their E5 licenses more effectively after migration, boosting ROI on existing software. Immediate Wins (Beyond AI): Migration brings quick benefits beyond future AI. For instance, e-discovery and audit trails improve instantly when data is consolidated, pleasing compliance teams. Co-authoring in SharePoint and OneDrive also boosts collaboration, especially for new hires used to modern tools, helping drive change. Filers vs. Pilers – Keep Some Structure: People organize in different ways—filers prefer folders, pilers use search. Jordan recommends a light structure with basic folders and metadata for filers, so everyone has a place for their content. This approach avoids overcomplication and supports both search-driven users and governance. Migration Is More Than Moving Files: Migration involves more than just transferring files; legacy systems often have retention policies, workflows, or integrations. These elements need to be rebuilt in the new system. Jordan stresses that detailed planning is crucial, including what to move first and how to manage processes post-migration. Choose Partners with Source Expertise: Jordan’s key point is that extracting data from old systems is the hardest part. Pick migration partners familiar with your legacy platform to avoid missing data or complications. His team even built specialized tools for common legacy systems, highlighting the value of source expertise. Plan, Govern, and Manage Risk: Success means balancing speed with caution. Jordan advises migrating by department or priority, freezing content during cut-over, and scheduling transitions during off-peak times. It's okay to leave behind unnecessary data. Careful planning prevents loss or disruption and ensures the migration finishes on time. Production Polaris is produced with the help of our friends at 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 Introductions 01:09 Terms and Data Points 01:59 Welcome to Jordan Uytterhagen 04:31 The Role of AI in Data Migration 07:26 Understanding Microsoft 365 Benefits 10:20 Migration Strategies and Challenges 12:58 Information Architecture vs. AI 15:49 The Future of Data Migration 17:31 Client Experiences and Lessons Learned 19:48 Tools and Services for Migration 22:56 The Importance of Understanding Legacy Systems 29:32 Cultural Insights and Recommendations 32:45 Upcoming Tech Events Overview 34:35 Wrap-Up and Guest Insights

    36 min
  7. UX Marks the Spot – Navigating the Customer Journey with Ginny Delaitre

    JUL 17

    UX Marks the Spot – Navigating the Customer Journey with Ginny Delaitre

    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 In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty interviews Ginny Delaitre, founder of VDS Digital Agency, discussing the critical role of user experience in marketing. They explore Ginny's journey from an iOS developer to an entrepreneur, the cultural challenges of establishing a business in the U.S., and the importance of understanding client journeys. The conversation delves into successful marketing strategies for healthcare and luxury brands, the significance of persona mapping, and the challenges of content marketing. Ginny shares insights on ideal customer profiles and her current focus on creating AI tools for enhancing user experience in marketing. Takeaways User Experience (UX) Marketing is critical before product sign-up: Don’t just focus on existing customers – design a pre-customer journey that makes discovering and engaging with your brand seamless and compelling. A well-designed user experience even before someone becomes a customer can dramatically boost conversion rates (companies prioritizing UX see up to 400% higher conversions, per Forrester). Persona Mapping drives strategy: Before jumping into campaigns, clarify who you’re talking to. Ginny emphasizes starting with strategy – define your brand and map out ideal customer personas (their goals, habits, challenges, and hang-outs). This ensures your marketing efforts hit the right channels and messages. Businesses that use persona mapping see significantly higher conversion rates (HubSpot says 73% higher) because content and outreach are better targeted. You can’t be everywhere – focus on the right channels: It’s impossible (and inefficient) to try engaging on every social platform or marketing channel. Use data (or informed hypotheses, for new businesses) to find where your target personas actually spend time. Ginny advises clients to select 3–4 key channels that make sense for their audience and excel there, rather than stretching thin across all platforms. Content marketing isn’t dead – it needs purpose: People who claim "content marketing is dead" are likely doing it wrong. Content needs a focused topic and a purpose. Random posts with no theme won’t move the needle. Instead, build content around consistent themes or stories that align with your audience’s interests, and include a clear call-to-action. When done with strategy, content marketing remains a powerful tool to educate and convert customers (instead of “content for content’s sake”). Consistency and brand experience matter (especially for premium brands): Every customer touchpoint should meet the same high standard. For example, in luxury marketing, the brand is the product – customers pay for an image and experience. Ginny notes that luxury audiences are extremely demanding; they expect personalized, high-quality interactions at every step. One off-key message or low-effort visual can break the illusion. Maintaining a cohesive “vibe” across channels builds trust and brand desire. Strategy is about choices: Good strategy means choosing what not to do as much as what to do. Ginny and Chris discuss that you can’t chase every idea – you must prioritize the customer journeys and campaigns that align with your goals. Look at data and early results to adjust quickly. It’s better to do a few things well than many things poorly. Tech knowledge is a marketing superpower: Ginny’s background as an iOS developer and her embrace of AI tools gives her an edge in marketing. In 2025, marketing leaders benefit from understanding technology – from mobile-first design (thinking of that “little screen” first) to leveraging AI (even “no-code” tools involve some code). Embracing tech helps marketers create better user experiences (e.g. interactive content, personalized automation) and operate more efficiently. Sound bites Ginny Delaitre (Guest): “Everyone wants to post tomorrow, but I always insist on strategy first – we need to know who we’re talking to.” “Some say content marketing is dead – I say they’re doing it wrong. Content needs a purpose; without that, it means nothing.” “Luxury customers pay a lot, so they want a lot. We create a vibe where the brand is the experience – the product comes second.” References Guest Ginny Delaitre (LinkedIn) – Ginny’s professional profile VDS Digital Agency – The digital agency founded by Ginny Delaitre, specializing in user experience marketing, design, and strategy for clients in industries from military relocation to luxury retail. Research Forrester – Their research noted that companies prioritizing UX design can see a 400% increase in conversion rates. McKinsey & Company – Found that nearly 80% of luxury sales are influenced by one or more digital touchpoints, underscoring the importance of digital strategies for luxury brands. HubSpot – Observed that using persona mapping yields about a 73% higher conversion rate in sales funnels, highlighting the value of well-defined customer personas. MustWants – A platform (created by veterans) that helps U.S. military families find housing when relocating for PCS (Permanent Change of Station) moves – this is the “military real estate” service Ginny referenced. Culture Sesame Street – Long-running children’s TV show known for the segment “One of These Things Is Not Like the Other,” used as an analogy for inconsistent branding in the episode discussion. Supernatural (TV Series) – A fantasy/horror TV show (2005–2020) with 15 seasons. Ginny noted how watching it reflects the evolution of consumer technology (from flip phones in 2005 to smartphones by 2020). Black Mirror – A British sci-fi anthology series that explores the dark side of technology. Chris mentioned it as a contrast when discussing the impacts of tech advances (as opposed to the optimistic take on tech in marketing ). Events M365 Community Days NYC | July 25, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Seattle Tech Week |  July 28 - August 1, Seattle WA FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies - August 26. I’ll be sitting down with our CEO Michelle Caldwell for a fireside chat about Microsoft's plans for its new fiscal year and how Microsoft partners can align for success. TechCon 365 Atlanta | August 11-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center. North American Collaboration Summit | September 7-9 Branson. MO 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 Vancouver AI Summit | October 20, 2025 Harbor Centre in Vancouver BC 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 of our friends at 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 Ginny Delaitre and VDS Digital Agency 01:07 News and Data Points 02:10 Welcome to Ginny Delaitre 04:07 Journey from Developer to CEO 06:47 Cultural Challenges of Starting a Business in the US 09:08 Understanding UX Marketing 11:54 Client Journeys and Success Stories 15:01 Marketing for Luxury Brands 17:48 The Importance of Strategy in Marketing 21:07 Content Marketing and Ideal Customer Profiles 23:25 Pop Culture Reflections and Future Endeavors 25:49 Upcoming Tech Events Overview 27:41 Wrap-Up and Guest Insights

    29 min
  8. Synergy over Silos – the New Age of Knowledge

    JUL 11

    Synergy over Silos – the New Age of Knowledge

    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 conversation, Chris McNulty and Gabriel Karawani discuss the challenges of fragmented information in digital workplaces and the introduction of Atlas, a knowledge assistant designed to improve productivity and knowledge management. They explore the future of AI in knowledge management, common misconceptions about AI, and the importance of integrating knowledge with AI systems. The discussion includes success stories from organizations using Atlas, the risks of relying on public AI, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI use. They also address the challenges of capturing tacit knowledge and measuring success in knowledge management. Key Takeaways  The “Toggle Tax” is Real: Fragmented apps and data silos cause employees to toggle between tools ~1,200 times a day, wasting nearly 4 hours a week (about 9% of work time) just reorienting. Unified knowledge systems can recover this lost productivity.  First-Gen AI Fell Short: Early AI assistants created isolated “islands of AI” within each tool, adding to silos. Business leaders now demand Omni AI – solutions that integrate data across all platforms for cohesive answers.  Integrated Knowledge = Competitive Edge: Companies relying only on public AI (like generic chatbots) get “vanilla” answers, while those who leverage proprietary knowledge via tools like Atlas gain trusted, context-aware insights tailored to their business – a significant competitive advantage.  Atlas Platform in Action: Atlas, ClearPeople’s intelligent knowledge platform, auto-captures and classifies information across Microsoft 365 and other systems, acting as an “ultimate knowledge assistant” that delivers precise answers with sources cited for trust. This reduces search time and surfaces expertise within the organization.  AI Needs Quality Data: Generative AI isn’t magic – it’s only as smart as the data you feed it. Context is king – AI must know which knowledge base or document version is relevant. A key Atlas benefit is robust metadata (like tagging content by client, project, or jurisdiction) so AI uses the right information when answering.  Ethical, Responsible AI is Essential: Enterprises should implement AI with transparency, security, and governance. Gabe notes the importance of ethical AI use, complying with standards (like ISO/IEC 42001 AI management systems) and emerging regulations (EU AI Act) while building a culture that encourages sharing knowledge responsibly.  People + AI, Not vs. AI: Successful adoption requires empowering people with AI, not replacing them. Atlas’s approach augments human expertise – e.g. capturing experts’ know-how and making it discoverable – so employees spend less time searching and more time innovating and collaborating on higher-value tasks.  Sound Bites (Gabe Karawani)  “It became a case of ‘The answer is GenAI – now what’s the question?’ People assumed generative AI would magically solve knowledge problems. In reality, AI needs guidance and context to be useful.”  “If you run your business on public AI, you’ll get vanilla answers. Your competitor using AI trained on their own knowledge will eat your lunch with richer, precise insights.”  “Think of Atlas as your ultimate knowledge assistant. It connects you instantly with the right information and experts inside your organization by automatically capturing and classifying knowledge at scale.”  “Unless an AI agent can connect to the right contextual knowledge, it’s likely to give a perfectly credible answer based on the wrong data. That’s a big problem we solve – making sure AI is grounded in truth.”  References Toggle Tax: Harvard Business Review – “How Much Time and Energy Do We Waste Toggling Between Applications?” (Murty et al., 2022). Study of 137 workers found ~1,200 app/website toggles per day and ~4 hours per week lost to reorienting. https://hbr.org/2022/08/how-much-time-and-energy-do-we-waste-toggling-between-applications   Retirement of Viva Topics (February 2024) to refocus on generative AI, with full retirement by Feb 2025. Organizations using Viva Topics are advised to prepare alternatives for knowledge discovery. https://www.reworked.co/digital-workplace/microsoft-is-retiring-viva-topics-heres-what-you-can-do/   Agent2Agent (A2A) Protocol – An open standard (initially by Microsoft and Google, now Linux Foundation) for secure, interoperable communication between AI agents. Announced in 2025 and backed by over 100 tech companies, A2A enables different AI systems to “talk” to each other and collaborate. https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-foundation-adopts-a2a-protocol-to-help-solve-one-of-ais-most-pressing-challenges/   Model Context Protocol (MCP) – An emerging open standard (led by Anthropic) that provides a universal way for an AI agent to connect to external tools, APIs, and data sources 2 2. MCP acts like a “USB-C port for AI,” complementing A2A by grounding agents in shared data. https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-foundation-adopts-a2a-protocol-to-help-solve-one-of-ais-most-pressing-challenges/   ISO/IEC 42001:2023 – The first international standard for AI Management Systems (AIMS), published Dec 2023. It provides a framework for governing AI use (risk management, transparency, bias mitigation, etc.) to ensure responsible, ethical AI deployment https://www.iso.org/standard/42001 EU AI Act – The European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Act (entered into force Aug 2024) is the world’s first comprehensive AI law. It introduces a risk-based framework restricting certain AI practices, imposing transparency for AI systems, and requiring extra compliance for “high-risk” AI (e.g. in hiring or biometric ID). Artificial intelligence act Guest Information Gabe Karawani - LinkedIn ClearPeople – A digital solutions company co-founded by Gabe Karawani, specializing in knowledge management on Microsoft 365. Creator of the Atlas Intelligent Knowledge Platform. https://www.clearpeople.com Atlas Intelligent Knowledge Platform – ClearPeople’s AI-powered knowledge platform for enterprises. It centralizes and auto-classifies content across Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, etc.) and other sources, providing a single trusted hub for knowledge discovery, enterprise search, and AI assistance. https://www.clearpeople.com/atlas-platform Events M365 Community Days NYC | July 25, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Seattle Tech Week |  July 28 - August 1, Seattle WA TechCon 365 Atlanta | August 11-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center. FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies - August 26. I’ll be sitting down with our CEO Michelle Caldwell for a fireside chat about Microsoft's plans for its new fiscal year and how Microsoft partners can align for success. North American Collaboration Summit | September 7-9 Branson. MO TribalNet Conference | September 14-18, 2025, Reno Nevada 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 the help of our friends at 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 Gabriel Karawani and Clear People 06:21 The Evolution of Atlas: From Services to Product 09:50 Navigating the AI Landscape: Misconceptions and Realities 15:34 Success Stories: Real-World Applications of Atlas 21:23 The Importance of Tailored AI Solutions 26:18 Ethical Considerations in AI Implementation 29:16 Measuring Success: Key Metrics for AI Impact 33:06 Challenges in Knowledge Management: Tackling Tacit Knowledge 35:56 Upcoming Events in 2025 37:26 Conclusion

    39 min
See All (28)

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

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.

Information