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Kiera is joined by Fred Heppner of Arizona Transitions to talk through dental practice transitions. Their conversation includes when you should start thinking about your transition, what the economic outcomes will be any way you go, what a private indemnity group is (and how it can help), and more. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcrpt Kiera Dent (00:01) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera. And today I am so excited to welcome an incredible guest to our podcast, Fred Heppner. He's with Arizona Transitions. And honestly, I feel like right now in today's world, dentists need more than ever guidance and direction of like, what do we do? How do I transition my practice? What am I looking at for retirement? Do I go the DSO route? Do I do the legacy practice route? I just feel like there's so much confusion. And so trying to cut through that noise,   Fred is incredible. We met him and I just said, you know what? He's incredible. And so he said for him, it's whether a person is buying a dental practice or putting a dental practice up for sale, Fred truly can help you successfully navigate through that transition. He deals with complete transitions of dental offices and also practices securing a partner or an associate, which that is such a hard thing. Like, how do we do this? There's a million ways to slice and dice that pie because he's worked with so many different aspects of the dental industry. His experience allows him   to ensure that all parties are satisfied with the transition. So I'm super jazzed. Fred, welcome to the show today. How are you?   Fred Heppner (01:02) I'm   doing great. Thank you, Kiera. I gotta meet this guy. Who is this guy, Fred?   Kiera Dent (01:06) Well,   here he is, if I'm not mistaken. But truly, I'm so honored to have you on the podcast. When our team met you, they were like, Kiera, he's got to get on the podcast. And so just truly excited because like I said, this is a zone that I get excited to geek out on because we deal with it in consulting all the time. Our clients are constantly asking us like, what should we do? They want to bring on partners, they want to bring on associates, they want a retention model. ⁓ They want to know like,   I feel like your dental practice can be your greatest asset or your greatest burden, depending upon how you set it up. And so really being able to just dive in with you. And like I said, I think there's so much noise right now. The dentists are like, it's almost like ostrich in the sand. Like, I just don't want to even think about it. I'm going to put my head in the sand. I'm not going to pay attention. But the reality is like, let's educate, let's learn. Let's bring experts in like yourself. So that way dentists can feel more confident making the decision. I don't think it has to be scary. I don't think it's be daunting. We just need to be educated and.   Fred Heppner (01:41) Yeah, I agree.   No.   Kiera Dent (02:05) and hear wisdom and then do what feels right. So Fred, that was my intro, but anything else you want to add of how you got here or, mean, I'm just excited to riff with you today.   Fred Heppner (02:14) I appreciate the opportunity and I can tell you even from what you just said back in, back in 1983, when I started in the business of dentistry, the interesting thing was I didn't hear very often, Hey, what's your transition plan? Because oftentimes dentists were really just going to build a practice and then that was going to be their retirement and they would sell their practice and retire. Financial planners were, were non-existent to a large degree. And it was early on that I heard somebody and it really resonated with me.   They asked a young dentist who had just taken ownership or started a practice, when are you going to hang up your hand piece? And the dentist kind of, I just got started. What do mean? When am going to hang it up? I got, you know, I got 20, 30 years here. No, no, no. The moment you take ownership of a business, you want to consider what your transition plan out would be early on so that it doesn't spring it on.   Kiera Dent (02:51) Mm-hmm.   Mm-hmm.   Fred Heppner (03:09) We may   talk here later on about, what happens if you're not there? What happens if there's an injury or disability or illness and you can't practice dentistry? Now what? And let's consider talking about that maybe later on. So early in the game, it's appropriate to have some kind of idea of some kind of transition plan. Transition plan doesn't mean I have to value my business. I have to procure a buyer act to make sure that financially qualified. I have to get a contract. I have to get a lease. That's not a transition plan. In simple, think.   Kiera Dent (03:21) Yeah.   Fred Heppner (03:38) The transition plan is what do you want to do when you sell your practice, when you move on from dentistry? And you know, as well as I do, you have clients who have been in dentistry and practice for 25, 30, 35, 40 years. And if they stopped doing something that they've been doing for three decades, what are they going to do with their time? And that's, that's really high on the scale of importance in a transition plan, because ultimately they're going to sit back and say,   Kiera Dent (03:53) Mm hmm. Yeah.   Fred Heppner (04:08) I don't know that I want to be home. I don't know that my spouse wants me to be home all day. And you have to think about these things. So it's much more than I have a practice to sell. I've got a purchase price. I have to figure out how I'm going to sell everything and my staff and my patients and so on. It's more than that. So I think in the initial phases of somebody considering what's my transition plan that can pull their head out of the sand and look at a spot and say, what do I really want to do if I   Kiera Dent (04:12) Totally.   Fred Heppner (04:37) If I don't do this, what will I do? And then feels a whole bunch of other questions into the play. Number one, how much am I going to make from selling my practice? What are the economic outcomes? How much in proceeds will I have after all the fees associated with selling the business and the taxes associated with paying for the proceeds? Now, what have I got left? What is that? What does that number look like? Well, I have no idea. Well, I need to find out. That's why I have a business.   Kiera Dent (05:05) Mm-hmm.   Gosh, Fred, I am so grateful you brought this up because honestly, feel like so I don't know my financial advisor teases me all the time. He's incredible. And he's like, Kiera, you are the person that has every exit strategy. You're like, all right, so what's going to happen if this happens or what happens? And I love to play this game with my husband. I'm like, okay, so if there was a fire in our house in this location, how are we going to get out? Or if we had this, because I feel like when you have almost that North star, especially in your life of   Okay, this is how much I want when I wanna retire. This is when I wanna retire. This is like you said, if I want to, what am I gonna do when this doesn't, like when I'm no longer doing dentistry? Because you're right, I actually, ⁓ working at Midwestern ⁓ University in Arizona, I know a lot of dental students and I know a lot of dentists now. And ⁓ I've been gone from Midwestern for about now, about nine years. And ⁓ in those nine years, which does not seem that long, it's not even been a decade, ⁓   Fred Heppner (05:50) Mm-hmm.   Kiera Dent (06:05) There have been students who have gotten a disability. There have been students who have gotten cancer and can no longer practice dentistry. There are students that have already sold to DSOs. And I'm like, their life looks so different. The student I'm thinking about who ended up getting pretty sick and had to leave, thank goodness he had his ⁓ insurance on him, his disability insurance. But like when I met him,   there was no way that we ever would have thought like four or five years into practice. I went and saw him in his practice and now like he's not doing dentistry anymore. And so I think Fred, it's one of those things where I help him pray every dentist who's listening gets to work until they're 80, 90, however long they want to go that they get to practice their craft. but I think what you're talking about of let's think of what would I do if I couldn't do this anymore, whether by choice or whether by life, ⁓ and then be able to make decisions because I feel like   When you stair step it back, you're able to actually navigate today way more confidently than if you don't have a plan. And I think that gives you more security than anything else. ⁓   Fred Heppner (07:08) Amen. And if your practice   is stable, strong, producing a good profit and you are able to not only retire debt, but start to put away for your own retirement, you are much more in a direction of control also. So retirement may not be a year or a number. It sometimes is an event because injury, disability, illness, sudden death have no discrimination. It can happen to anybody.   And if there isn't a plan in place for that, which I would recommend dentists look into, ⁓ if they don't have them in their community, forming private indemnity groups, disability coverage groups, where if a group of 16, 17 dentists that per oculi are in the same community and know each other and respect each other would agree that if anything were to happen, the group would get activated and it would cover the practice a day at a time on rotation for all the membership.   until the practitioner returns from the injury or disability or the practice is sold because the dentist is incapacitated and can't come back. As a side note, I want to mention to you that I do this for six different groups here in the Valley in Phoenix where I live. And there are anywhere from about 12 to 22 dentists in each of those groups.   So if you're listeners or if anybody in the A team wants to know more about forming groups, I'm happy to pay it forward, provide it for you. It's important. It's really something that dentists, we're invincible. Nothing's going to happen to us, especially when they're 30 years old and they just graduated from Midwestern and they bought their first practice and they're fired up. And it's like, they are looking at nothing other than growth, development, coaching. They're not even thinking if something were to happen to them. So.   Kiera Dent (08:38) Mm-hmm.   hope. Right?   Mm-hmm.   Fred Heppner (08:57) Just as an aside,   let's you and I make sure that we talk more. And for any dentists who want to develop those kinds of groups, it is invaluable. And there are tons of stories that I could impart to you and impart to anybody who's willing to listen about dentists that have a mishap. ⁓ Jim Jorgensen here in Phoenix ⁓ owns Squaw Peak Dental for years. He was in Vegas with his wife, Terry, midnight. They were up in the hotel room and he flatlined. He had a massive heart attack.   Kiera Dent (09:15) Mm-hmm. Yep. Mm-hmm.   Fred Heppner (09:28) She kept him going until the paramedics arrived. He survived. We activated the group. We covered his practice for three months. He came back, continued to practice. A year later, he sold it. So he couldn't have done that. He would have lost that asset and lost the value that that asset has on the open market if that group hadn't been in place. So.   Kiera Dent (09:39) incredible.   Thank   I will. love that. And thank you for sharing that. And that's something I didn't even know existed. And I, I don't, I'm just very pro. Like, I remember when I was filling out our trust and I had to write my will and I was not very old, still like in my thirties, it was really weird. And it made me feel icky. And when you said the phrase earlier of like death, disability, illness, that has no discrimination. It hit me in my core of you're right. Like we do feel like we're invincible, but the reality is those three are hanging   out at any moment and we have no idea when they're going to strike us or our family or someone that we know. As icky as that is. And so I feel like it's like, let's just get, let's get prepared. Like when I had to figure out what's going to happen to me, if I ever am incapacitated and I called my brother, who's my power of attorney. I said, okay, this is what I want. Are you willing to do it? But now I don't like if it happens great. Like he knows, I know there's a plan in place and as much as I would hate for it to happen, there is a plan that's like, and I feel   Gosh, maybe I'm just a selfish egotistical human over here. It does give me a lot of empowerment to know that I know if something were to happen to me, things are good. And I will also say my whole team hates it, but I have an entire death plan of if Kiera Dent dies, I haven't made it so sweet that they want to kill me off. So like, that's my, that's my caveat. Like, let's not make it that good. But there's an entire plan because I realized...   If I don't have this plan in place, if things aren't able to be transferred quickly to people that I trust and that people need to execute on, this company would die and we would not be able to serve all the people that we have. And so as, as weird and as eerie as it is, I feel like Fred, there's so much empowerment that can happen because it's no longer scary. Just like getting an operations manual, just like getting all your systems in your practice in case someone leaves. I feel like it's the same thing for your business in your life. So Fred, like that's a great tip. And I think people should reach out and definitely connect with you.   Fred Heppner (11:42) maybe   for another future podcast. Coming to an A-Team podcast near you,   Kiera Dent (11:44) Like,   I mean, hey, I'm here for it.   Fred Heppner (11:50) I don't know.   It's really important. People take it for granted. And it's interesting because the people that are in the groups that I have and sponsor just sitting back and say to themselves, why wouldn't anybody not be involved in this type of group? So good for future.   Kiera Dent (12:05) That's helpful. Okay. All right. And Fred, just like, mean,   we'll, share it at the end too, but if people are interested, how do they connect with you? We'll just put it in the middle too. So people have the info and then of course we're going to continue on.   Fred Heppner (12:16) ArizonaTransitions.com is my website. ArizonaTransitions@gmail.com is my email. Best way to reach you.   Kiera Dent (12:23) And I'm sure people are   questioning, you work only in Arizona or do you work outside of Arizona just to clear that up for our listeners? Okay.   Fred Heppner (12:29) Good. Time for a little backstory. So   back in 1983, when I started in dentistry, I was a, I was a business coach, similar to how you operate and develop business systems and coaching and training for dentists and their teams to grow and essentially develop profitable and enjoyable practices. I did that for about 20 years. And then about 22 years ago, I really saw a void in Phoenix where I live. moved here in 1995.   of the transition space. just didn't see dental practice transitions being done with integrity, in my opinion. They could have been, but I saw some of the aftermath because dentists would call me and say, hey, I just bought this practice. Can you help me? It's a mess. So I would go in and assist them. Well, slowly but surely, I saw an opportunity to be able to jump into the transitions realm. So I jumped deep into ⁓ classroom study and book work on how to do business evaluations correctly.   Kiera Dent (13:04) Mm-hmm.   Fred Heppner (13:26) the International Society of Business Analysts was my education forum. ⁓ Casey Conrad, who is brilliant, he taught me how to do business valuations correctly. And by the way, he writes the curriculum for the organizations that provide accreditation to people who want to be a business analyst. So I'm learning from the guy who teaches everybody. And then I started studying large contract negotiations.   Kiera Dent (13:45) Mm-hmm. Amazing.   Fred Heppner (13:52) As I developed that understanding and saw that there were things that I could contribute to, I jumped into that realm and became more of ⁓ a transition specialist here in the greater Phoenix area. Well, along the way, I came upon a group called American Dental Sales, which is a large cooperative of 40 dental practice transition specialists, 23 different companies. They cover all 50 states and they had a void in Arizona that they needed to fill. So they approached me and said, we'd like you to come on board.   ⁓ I then met a guy named Hi Smith, who really was one of the preeminent dental practice brokers in the country. ⁓ He was in Naples, Florida. He had a place in Oregon, so he kind of commuted periodically. But Hi was very, very well regarded and still is. He's retired now. Hi was the transition specialist for the Pride Institute, a very well regarded practice management company out of California. And for 35 years.   Kiera Dent (14:44) Mm-hmm.   Fred Heppner (14:50) They referred all the business nationwide to High to develop any kind of transition plan or valuation or partnership or associate ship or practice sale. Well, he was a member of ADS and he actually, I want to say he took me under his wing to some degree because we just became very good friends and he became a really significant mentor of mine.   I fell ill and said, I'm not gonna be able to do this any longer, so you're gonna take over my book of business. and by the way, you're also gonna start doing seminars for the Pride Institute. And I'm gonna introduce you to the people over there so that when they need help, like I've been giving them for the last 30 years, you'll take over. So as a result, we were doing seminars all around the country. So four to five times a year, we'd be in Denver, Boston, Seattle, Orlando, Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia, you name it.   Kiera Dent (15:30) Mm-hmm.   Fred Heppner (15:43) So people that would come to those meetings were Pride disciples, clients, and they would ask me to help them with their transition. So that became more of a establishing services for dentists that are outside of Arizona, not necessarily creating a footprint in each of those territories. The Pride Institute was purchased by Spear Practice Solutions about 10 or 12 years ago.   Kiera Dent (16:08) Mm-hmm.   Fred Heppner (16:09) So I got dragged kicking and screaming over to Spear and developed a really good relationship with the track practice growth partners at Spear and also Amy Morgan, who was the CEO at Pride out still with Spear. So that's the backstory to tell you that I've done transitions in 26 different States. And it's very easy for me to help provide consultation and guidance for transitions really anywhere.   Kiera Dent (16:12) Thank   Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.   Awesome.   Fred Heppner (16:39) Florida, as an example, Florida requires a person to be a commercial real estate broker to broker business assets. So I have colleagues in Florida that I refer to. And with my affiliation with ADS, I have boots on the ground in pretty much every territory that if I don't think I can provide value to the client, I simply connect it with the people in my group and everything gets worked right.   Kiera Dent (17:04) That's awesome.   That's amazing. And it's such a fun story.   mean, I think our our paths have crossed on probably several levels. One of my business coaches is former pride. And as soon as you said that, I was like, Oh, my gosh, I bet we both know Liz. I'm sure we and all the different pieces. But I love that because I figured Arizona transitions might some of the listeners might feel like you can't help them and assist them. So I really wanted to clear that up that it's all across the nation in different areas. So all right, Fred, let's dive into like walk us through I know you've got some   Fred Heppner (17:11) Yeah, chances are.   yeah, ⁓ yeah, absolutely.   Kiera Dent (17:36) points.   I know you've got some things of like, what is the transition plan? Like how do doctors get to that level? What do they need to do if they're transitioning? Now again, this doesn't mean you're selling. Right now, I think there's a lot of options to sell, but also like prepping in case life, one of those three mysterious, hopefully never coming to you, like orbs is how feel. I feel like they're like floating around and hopefully they never strike. But what do we do? What are kind of the steps? What are some of the things you have for that?   Fred Heppner (17:56) Yeah, yeah.   Well,   I think the first step in any kind of relationship that I build with a client, it would be a true consultation. And in that sense, it's tell me what your ideal retirement plan or transition plan would look like. You've worked your practice for a number of years. At some point in time, you're going to decide that you will retire from the practice of dentistry. What do you want to do? What does that look like?   What would you be involved with? I'll give you a quick example. Jerry Cox, who's a dentist in Old Scottsdale here in Phoenix, called me and said, I'd like you to help me sell my practice. And I said, I'd be honored, thank you. So I went and saw him and we put together the plan and I asked him the question, what do you want to do? What do you want to do after you retire from practice? says, well, I like to do sculpture. And I said, really, Fred?   Kiera Dent (18:56) you   Fred Heppner (18:57) What have you done? kind of work have you done? He says, well, let me show you. He showed me pictures of the statue of Heather Farr. Heather Farr was an amateur golfer 25, 30 years ago or so, who played at ASU, who was an enormous success, played on the LPGA tour, and ultimately ⁓ developed breast cancer and died. Heather's statue ⁓ was sitting at Karsten Golf Course down near ASU, which they've now plowed.   Kiera Dent (19:20) Wow.   Fred Heppner (19:27) and also at Greyhawk Golf Club. And Jerry sculpted that statue. And I got goosebumps right now. Anyway, so as an example, Jerry has a studio at his house. He said, as soon as I sell, I'm doing that. So the point is in the transition planning phase, know what you want to do. Know what you will occupy your time. If it's turn.   Kiera Dent (19:33) Wow. Yeah.   So Fred, I'm gonna just like ask questions right here because, and   I'm gonna talk for myself. So guys, like this is my own therapy session. So thank you for being a part and a fly on the wall. Like sometimes we don't know. ⁓ So like I feel I'm very much, I know I wanna retire. I know I want more free time, ⁓ but I literally sit here and this, it's like, know how you think about like how time truly never ends. And if you think about like too hard, it actually creeps you out. Like that's kinda how I feel about like retiring of like,   Well, I know I don't want to keep working this hard. Like I don't want to be putting in as many hours, but I still love the impact. I still love the legacy, but I don't quite know what that looks like. And I feel like a lot of times people in their thirties, in their twenties, in their forties, I think as you get later on in life, you probably have more of that clear picture. But what about for those that are very fresh, like that truly maybe some people do, maybe I'm, maybe I'm the only one on my own planet. I don't think I am, but like, what do you do if you don't know what you want to do?   Fred Heppner (20:46) You're not alone. So good. part of the time, what did Chelsea, what did Kelsey Grammer say? I'm listening. So the, the, the idea is that there are portions of people that don't know. There are some that are very clear on what they want to do and there's some that are kind of, well, I'm not sure. My, my recommendation would be, think about it. Then don't answer right now, but think about it because I want you to know what you will be doing when.   Kiera Dent (20:48) Thank you. Thanks for my therapy today, Fred. I appreciate it. Thank you.   Hahaha ⁓   Fred Heppner (21:16) you stop doing this and it may change over time. It may kind of morph into, my God, I didn't know that I really enjoyed painting. Okay. Then, then that's maybe what you might do because as you retire from the proceeds of your sale of your business, you'll, you'll build out a studio in your home or in the Casita or wherever it is. So it, it's okay that you may not know. It's okay that a person may not know what they want to do, but it's important to start thinking about it.   Kiera Dent (21:26) Mm-hmm.   Fred Heppner (21:47) And then we can kind of move into the rest of the, ⁓ the rest of the questions, which I would say, is it a year that you'd like to finish working? Some dentists may want to finish when they're 55. Some may want to work until they're 65. Some may want to finish working when they're 50 or it might be a number. My investment portfolio has to be at $10 million liquid, not including asset hard assets like home.   vacation home, cars, anything like that, boats, whatever, ⁓ but that the liquid assets have a certain number because then I know through my financial planner, because he did a wealth timeline, another side note, right, Kiera? ⁓ He said that if you keep doing what you're doing and you retire at this age and you pull in social security and you have this mandatory required distributions from your portfolio,   Kiera Dent (22:16) Mm-hmm.   Right? Exactly.   Fred Heppner (22:41) you'll be able to have this much money when you're 99. So, and that's just a mathematical spreadsheet that most good financial planners have. And I highly recommend it for anybody who's in business, who's developing a portfolio for retirement. So it may not be, I don't know yet. Okay, good. Well think about it and know that I may circle back during our relationship and ask you, have you given much thought? Do know what you're going to do?   Kiera Dent (22:45) Mm-hmm.   Fred Heppner (23:09) Early on, is it important? Not as much as when it's a three to five year window. When it's a three to five year window from retirement, then we want to talk more significantly about it. Because that will be a good...   Kiera Dent (23:23) got it because that's what I was curious I was like should people be talking   when they're in their 20s 30s or is it something we're like start to think about it I know Ryan and I from Dentist advisors we we talk shop about this quite often of like there I mean there are studies that show that when you retire you actually start to atrophy in life and ⁓ there isn't as much of a purpose and so we talk often of like how can we continue that   mental stamina, the things that are going to fulfill us, whether it's working or something else of philanthropy, like whatever is going to keep you going as a human, whether you're working in the chair or you're not, I think is important. So that's I was curious of like, really probably connecting with you three to five years before we think we might retire, but with the caveat of, hey, if something were to happen to me, what would kind of be my exit strategy? your like death list like I do, like if I die, this is what's going to happen. It's creepy, but it's awesome.   Fred Heppner (24:15) No, it's, it's creepy and it is awesome. And at the same time, it's a really good conversation to have because if we're three to five years out, then one of the first things to do is say, okay, so what's going to happen if you're not here? And that carries on to the discussion we had earlier.   Kiera Dent (24:28) Mm-hmm.   The Dental A Team (24:31) Awesome. Thank you. And thank you, Fred. Thank you, all of you. And for all of you listening, thanks for listening. And I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast.  

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Kibit Solutions Ltd is launching in Ireland at this year's Dublin Tech Summit. Kibit Solutions is building software with the best people and provide software development teams to help you with any IT projects that you might be planning in the future. Based in their global headquarters in Budapest, Kibit Solutions has assembled a complete team tailored to your needs, comprising roles such as Scrum Master and Quality Assurance, who adhere to your functional requirements. This team is overseen by Kibit Solutions, ensuring a smooth operation, whilst also delivering meticulously tested solutions to meet your goals. Kibit Solutions team, consists of Business Analysts and seasoned professionals, assists in clarifying your needs, drafting detailed functional specifications, assembling a suitable team, and ultimately delivering thoroughly tested solutions to meet your objectives. Kibit Solutions Irish Business Advisor Ronan Leonard said: "We are looking forward to entering the Irish market, offering our unique development solutions to startups and SMEs. It is a privilege to launch at Dublin Tech Summit, one of Europe's fastest growing international tech conferences." Kibit Solutions launch is taking place at an after party on May 29th between 5:30 and 7:30 In Madigan Square Gardens, the outdoor area of the Horseshoe House, just across the road from the RDS where the Dublin Tech Summit is taking place. Attendees will hear how Kibit Solutions can help with any upcoming I.T. projects that they may have. Places are limited, so to confirm attendance at the after party or to get more information on Kibit Solutions please email ronan.leonard@kibitsolutions.com See more stories here. More about Irish Tech News Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too. You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at Simon@IrishTechNews.ie now to discuss. Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at Info@IrishTechNews.ie now to find out more about how we can help you reach our audience. You can also find and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

KMOX Business Analyst Jerome Katz, a professor of business at the SLU/Chaifetz School of Business, joins Megan Lynch as Pres Trump completes his 1st 100 days in office. A focus today are proposed tariffs.

In this episode, Yulia Kosarenko discusses the importance of a business analyst mindset, emphasizing practical application, mentoring, and critical thinking. She shares insights about her YouTube channel, mentorship groups, and upcoming book on business analytics. Yulia highlights the value of tools like user story mapping, context diagrams, and the importance of understanding data in digital transformation and AI initiatives. She also underscores the limitations of generative AI, stressing the human strengths of creativity, critical thinking, and stakeholder engagement. Her overarching message is to embrace technology thoughtfully while continually honing human analytical and interpersonal skills.YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LzrbwKJam0Yulia KosarenkoWebsite: https://why-change.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yulia-kosarenko/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WhyChangeBookFoundations of Business Analytics: An Applied Approachhttps://www.amazon.ca/Foundations-Business-Analytics-Applied-Approach/dp/1773384791/ref=sr_1_5?crid=3KGUS5KC224DE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0V9Q9lAnEmk0-WEuwfrCHs42UVM5ofu55m3UniDynJkfZNyML3WTl_UqrQdDxY1Stc7j3vjFOZ1gDwjbpsoCKg.vDlmmuEvgzBcjnHHkxj6lJpaHbfacOAl_vLDCF9jKrs&dib_tag=se&keywords=yulia+kosarenko&qid=1745626163&sprefix=yulia+kosarenko%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-5Business analyst: a profession and a mindsethttps://www.amazon.ca/Business-analyst-profession-Yulia-Kosarenko/dp/199912202X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2B7SEO9ZGQ9EB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.0V9Q9lAnEmk0-WEuwfrCHs42UVM5ofu55m3UniDynJkfZNyML3WTl_UqrQdDxY1Stc7j3vjFOZ1gDwjbpsoCKg.vDlmmuEvgzBcjnHHkxj6lJpaHbfacOAl_vLDCF9jKrs&dib_tag=se&keywords=yulia+kosarenko&qid=1745678824&sprefix=yulia+kosarenko%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-1-----Sponsored by BA BLOCKS:For a high-quality BA foundations course (FOBA), register at https://bablocks.com/foba/?affiliate_code=5ee2a7.Use the code INQUISITIVE24 to receive a 10% discount. Whether you are an aspiring or experienced BA, the FOBA course is a game changer. It provides real world project-based teaching with top-notch experienced instructors, each with over 20 years industry experience. Check it out.

SLU/Chaifetz School of Business Professor Jerome Katz is our KMOX Business Analyst. He says new survey of Americans shows they are expecting higher prices coming quickly, with the economy getting worse. Plus at look at how Americans are flocking to financial news outlets to get more information on economy and tariffs.

Jill Schlesinger is the Emmy and Gracie Award winning Business Analyst for CBS News. She appears on CBS radio and television stations nationwide covering the economy, markets, investing and anything else with a dollar sign. She is a weekly guest on NPR's “Here and Now” and writes the nationally syndicated column “Jill on Money”. She is the author of two books, The Great Money Reset and The Dumb Things Smart People Do With Their Money. Jill is also the host of the “Jill on Money” and the “MoneyWatch” podcasts and of the nationally syndicated radio show, “Jill on Money”. She is a frequent speaker on a variety of topics, including macroeconomic, market and demographic trends; workplace issues for women and LGBT employees in financial services; and how to create authentic branding. She serves on the board of the New York City Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center. Jill and I get into all of it...the economy, the tariffs and trade wars, stock market anxiety, the bond market meltdown, the threat of recession, and what investors should be doing defensively to minimize their downside. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel

CBS Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger joins Debbie and Tom every Morning. She says the 'Bond Market Forces Trump to Blink' in this week's update. Plus income taxes are due tomorrow. https://www.jillonmoney.com/blog/bond-market-forces-trump-to-blink

Michael Calhoun and SLU/Chaifetz School of Business Professor Jerome Katz discuss the surprise success of 'Minecraft' at movie theaters and the reaction of bankers to Trump's tariffs.

Eshaan Agrawal is a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Co. who formerly served in the Office of Technology Transitions at the Department of Energy (DOE). His energy interest is routed in climate impact, and he started off in college by focusing on environmental actions related to air pollution in his local community. Eshaan tells us about why he chose to start his career at DOE rather than alternative options, and then describes the different components of his role, such as authoring the Innovative Grid Deployment Liftoff Report and developing the pathway to commercial liftoff for critical energy transition technologies. Throughout the episode, he shares advice on career decision making, exciting areas of the energy sector, and more.   Keynotes: - Energy work through the government - Figuring out how to maximize impact and make strategic career decisions - Exciting topics within energy And follow us on: Newsletter: https://www.energy-terminal.com/newsletter-signup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/energy-terminal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/energyterminal/  

CBS Business Analyst Jill Schlesinger joins Debbie and Tom every week. This week, she's looking at tariffs announced by Pres Trump last week that are roiling the economy and markets.

BUSINESS: Analysts: Peso volatility likely amid continued uncertainties | April 7, 2025Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.netFollow us:Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebookInstagram - https://tmt.ph/instagramTwitter - https://tmt.ph/twitterDailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotionSubscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digitalSign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newslettersCheck out our Podcasts:Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotifyApple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcastsAmazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusicDeezer: https://tmt.ph/deezerStitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimesVisit our website at https://www.manilatimes.netFollow us:Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebookInstagram - https://tmt.ph/instagramTwitter - https://tmt.ph/twitterDailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotionSubscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digitalSign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newslettersCheck out our Podcasts:Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotifyApple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcastsAmazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusicDeezer: https://tmt.ph/deezerStitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What AI tools do you use as a BA? Business change consultant Mick Brian is an early adopter and expert on the subject. In this thought-provoking BA Brew, he discusses the challenges and rewards of introducing an LLM (Large Language Model) into a large organisation. Topics covered include: why the input of BAs is essential when introducing AI tools; the intangible benefits of LLMs; why you need to prompt AI to your level of expertise; the government's ‘AI Playbook' and more.As promised in the BA Brew, Mick Brian has shared these useful links for BAs with an interest in using AI tools. AI Playbook for the UK Government The Leader in Agentic Process Automation System | Automation AnywhereLucidchart | Diagramming Powered By Intelligence Process Intelligence and Process Mining | CelonisRory Sutherland Podcast Mick also recommended the book ‘Alchemy' by Rory Sutherland. If you liked this BA Brew, you may also enjoy the following articles and blogs:AI Alchemy: Turning Change into Gold - based on the presentation by Mick Brian and Will Izzard at the Business Change and Transformation Conference Europe 2024. BOOK REVIEW: Hello World by Hannah Fry AI and the Business Analysis Role The following BA Brews may be of interest: BA Brew 63: The AI BA Brew (Hosted by Chat GPT) BA Brew 75: Business Analysis and AI (Feat. John Wisner) BA Brew 81: The Benefits, Risks and Opportunities of AI in Business Analysis (Feat. Donald Farmer)

SLU/Chaifetz School of Business Professor Jerome Katz points out that D&D is 51 years old, and 'going stronger than ever,' to Megan Lynch.

Send us a textBreaking into McKinsey from a non-target school? It's tough - but not impossible. Just ask Elizabeth. In this episode of Strategy Simplified, she shares her journey from UMass Amherst to landing a coveted Business Analyst offer at McKinsey's Boston office.Elizabeth gets real about:Her full recruiting timeline - from first interest to final offerThe strategies that helped her crack the case interviewHow she prepped for the nerve-wracking Personal Experience Interview (PEI)What makes MBB interviews different from boutique consulting firmsIf you're gearing up for consulting recruiting, this episode is packed with tips, insights, and motivation to help you on your own journey.Additional ResourcesJoin an upcoming Black Belt cohort to work with the world's most effective case coaching teamNot sure consulting is right for you? Get real-world consulting experience through the Strategy Sprint consulting projectPrepping for an internship or full-time job? Get Excel and PowerPoint training to get you ready to thrive from day onePartner LinksStax is hiring! See open roles and requirementsConnect With Management Consulted Book a free 15min info call with Katie. Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team (team@managementconsulted.com) with any questions or feedback.

Master the AI skills you need to excel in your business analyst role with this Agile Business Analysis Bootcamp from Elisto Ltd (01584-547264). Secure your spot today at https://elisto.org/ Elisto Ltd City: Swindon Address: 24 Stadium View Website: https://elisto.org/

Darren Rovell is a highly successful Sports Business Analyst, founder and partner in several businesses and an accomplished author. He’s always been ahead of the game. He had a Sports Business College Radio Show at Northwestern. He was one of the first influencers on Twitter. Find out why he’s been successful and what’s next for […] The post Sports Business Analyst Darren Rovell & Rock’s Stories appeared first on Radio Influence.

Darren Rovell is a highly successful Sports Business Analyst, founder and partner in several businesses and an accomplished author. He's always been ahead of the game. He had a Sports Business College Radio Show at Northwestern. He was one of the first influencers on Twitter. Find out why he's been successful and what's next for […] The post Sports Business Analyst Darren Rovell & Rock's Stories appeared first on Radio Influence.

CBS's Jill Schlesinger, host of Jill on Money, says 'people are spooked', not just on the markets, but on the economy and inflation as well. She says to channel your energy into other things, like preparing a will, or looking for better insurance rates instead of looking at your investments.

BONUS: Challenging the Agile Status Quo with #NoBacklogs, Allan Kelly In this BONUS episode, we explore the provocative ideas of Allan Kelly, the author who introduced #NoBacklogs to the Agile community. Allan shares his insights on why traditional backlogs may be hindering true agility, offers practical alternatives, and explains how teams can maintain accountability while focusing on outcomes rather than outputs. The Problem with Traditional Backlogs "Backlogs keep ideas for far too long." Allan Kelly challenges the conventional wisdom of maintaining extensive backlogs in Agile environments. He distinguishes between sprint backlogs and product backlogs, highlighting how the latter often becomes a repository for stale ideas that outlive their relevance. Allan argues that this practice undermines the adaptability that should be at the core of Agile methodologies, transforming what should be a flexible approach into a more rigid, traditional project management framework. Outcome-Focused Alternatives "What are you doing to try and change the world?" Instead of lengthy backlogs filled with specific tasks and features, Allan advocates for approaches centered on outcomes and meaningful change. He discusses the concept of OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) as a form of "test first management" - a powerful framework that shifts focus from outputs to measurable impacts. This perspective encourages teams to consider the broader purpose of their work rather than simply executing a predetermined list of tasks. Balancing Structure and Flexibility "There should be a 'Best before' date for all backlog items." Finding the right balance between necessary structure and agile flexibility is crucial for effective delivery. Allan suggests implementing a "best before" date for all backlog items to prevent the accumulation of outdated ideas. He emphasizes starting with the Sprint Goal as a guiding principle, using it to create focus and purpose that allows teams to adapt their approach while maintaining a clear direction. Breaking Free from Traditional Mindsets "The work to do is not a fixed entity." According to Allan, the reliance on extensive backlogs has perpetuated traditional project management mindsets within supposedly Agile organizations. He challenges the underlying assumption that the scope of work is a predetermined, fixed entity waiting to be discovered and documented. Instead, he suggests embracing the evolving nature of work, allowing teams to respond to changing priorities and insights as they emerge. Maintaining Accountability Without Backlogs "Test first management as a management innovation that helps focus on goals, and measure progress by the teams." Allan addresses concerns about accountability by offering practical approaches to tracking progress without traditional backlogs. He emphasizes the importance of regular demonstrations of working solutions and assessing whether these demonstrations align with the team's strategic direction. His concept of "test first management" provides a framework for focusing on goals while measuring genuine progress rather than simply tracking task completion. Resources for Deeper Learning "Honey, I shrunk the backlog." For listeners interested in exploring these ideas further, Allan recommends his YouTube presentation "Honey, I shrunk the backlog," which offers additional insights and practical guidance on implementing a #NoBacklogs approach in Agile teams. About Allan Kelly Allan Kelly is the author of #noprojects: A Culture of Continuous Value, and an outspoken Agile practitioner that helped introduce the idea of #NoBacklogs to the Agile community. His work spans several decades, and includes some breakthrough contributions that he shares in his books and conference talks. He is the author, among others, of Project Myopia: Why projects damage software, Continuous Digital: An agile alternative to projects for digital business, The Art of Agile Product Ownership: A Guide for Product Managers, Business Analysts, and Entrepreneurs, and Xanpan: Team Centric Agile Software Development. You can link with Allan Kelly on LinkedIn.

Today on the Salesforce Admins Podcast, we talk to Megan Tuano, Sr. Business Analyst at Accenture Federal Services and an amazing YouTube content creator. Join us as we chat about how she uses AI in her consulting and Salesforce Admin work, and how she's built a career in tech without a traditional tech background. You […] The post What Role Does AI Play in Consulting and Salesforce Admin Work? appeared first on Salesforce Admins.

About James Currier James Currier is the Chief Revenue Officer at Finloc USA, where James leads the sales team across the country in a relentless pursuit for increased market share in the equipment finance field. After starting his professional career as a Business Analyst in the healthcare field, James came to realize that his passions were best suited to dealing with people and organizations aiming for growth. After a two year contract was completed with Fraser & Interior Health Authorities in British Columbia, a career change ensued and James has not looked back since. Combining the analytical fundamentals learned in healthcare and a natural gravitation towards people and business development, James has thrived in a sales career since 2012, leading, managing, and training dozens of people over the past several years. Subsequent to the completion of a >$400MM acquisition at his previous company, James made the jump to Finloc where he was first tasked with hiring and redeveloping the Ontario, Canada market. James was then assigned to manage the US division for Finloc as a player/coach, originating new asset-based financing opportunities and finding, attracting, and training new talent. James has worked in an exceptionally diverse range of roles since the age of 15, starting as a minor hockey league referee. His openness to new experience has allowed James to experience positions as a head of high-profile security, high-adventure whitewater rafter guide, Corporal in the Canadian Armed Forces Infantry Reserve, business analyst, VIP/Private security operative, personal support worker, guitar teacher, and sales leader. As a well-versed hobbyist who enjoys learning and new experiences, James enjoys coaching/playing/watching hockey, swimming, guitar, hunting, fly fishing, boating/canoeing, cycling, hiking, woodworking, motorcycling, reading, DIY projects, and evening walks with his wife, 2 boys, and golden retriever.   Connect with James LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-currier-clfp-232b0842/?originalSubdomain=ca  Email: james.currier@finloc.com    

CBS Business Analyst, Jill Schlesinger, shares her 'big three' ways to address the uncertain markets. She joins Megan Lynch.

KMOX Business Analyst Jerome Katz joins Megan Lynch with his weekly segment. This week, stuffed-crust pizza coming to Domino's and a re-vamp of Sonic kept the franchise alive.

Jill Schlesinger, the CBS Business Analyst, joins Debbie and Tom and explains the differences between Medicaid and Medicare. How would cuts impact Americans?

SLU/Chaifetz School of Business Professor chats with Megan Lych, as the sales of new homes is down recently. 'Home prices remained low' in St Louis compared to the rest of the country. He also explains 'family offices' and their role in building wealth.

Send us a textWhen Cam didn't land a McKinsey internship, he could have given up. Instead, he used the rejection as fuel to come back stronger for full-time recruiting. A year later, with a revamped strategy and relentless preparation, he secured the coveted Business Analyst role.In this episode, Cam pulls back the curtain on exactly how he did it, sharing:The Excel tracker he used to organize networking and case prepTips for excelling in the Personal Experience Interview (PEI)The biggest misconception he had about recruitingIf you're in the thick of consulting recruiting (or gearing up for it), this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss!Additional ResourcesJoin Black Belt for 8 live sessions with an MBB coach so you know that you are doing the right things at the right timeDownload Cam's networking and case prep Excel trackerStay up-to-date on upcoming application deadlinesPartner LinksMore info on Palm Tree careersJoin the free March 3-7 Networking Challenge for the specific networking tactics to land a referral from the world's most prestigious consulting firmsConnect With Management Consulted Book a free 15min info call with Katie. Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team (team@managementconsulted.com) with any questions or feedback.

Jerome Katz, SLU/Chaifetz School of Business professor, joins Megan Lynch every week. This week, popcorn and the fancy buckets as well as a possible shortage of tequila.

Mateusz Komander: From Business Analyst to Product Champion, The Impact Of Vision In The PO Role Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. The Great Product Owner: The Empowered Business Analyst Mateusz shares an inspiring example of a Business Analyst who embodied the ideal Product Owner traits despite not having the official title. This proxy PO took genuine ownership of the platform, demonstrated strong decision-making abilities by saying "no" to stakeholders when necessary, and actively supported the team's ideas. Their success came from maintaining a clear vision for the product while remaining open to experimentation. The Bad Product Owner: The Vision-less Decision Maker The most significant anti-pattern Mateusz observed was a Product Owner lacking a clear vision for their product. This absence of vision made decision-making challenging and complicated the PO's ability to gain support for their ideas. The team struggled with last-minute requirements and a short-term roadmap that didn't provide adequate guidance. To address this, Mateusz suggests using simple visualization tools, focusing on product goals, and maintaining a clean backlog aligned with a 6-month roadmap. [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Sign up today for Elisto's Agile Business Analysis and AI Bootcamp - practical skills that will make you better at your job and help you build an exciting and profitable career. More details at https://elisto.org/collections/courses/products/agile-business-analysis-boot-camp Elisto Ltd City: Swindon Address: 24 Stadium View Website: https://elisto.org/

Kayla Burke is an Enterprise Sales Specialist at Microsoft and Founder of "The Tech Level" helping others to get a tech sales role.  When Kayla graduated from college she became a business analyst but found that it didn't bring her much joy in her job. A random person told her about sales hiring going on at IBM and she ended up becoming a Business Development Manager - and has loved technology sales ever since.  In addition to being an Enterprise Sales Specialist at Microsoft, Kayla launched a program to help get more folks into tech sales roles and has had great success at it.  Kayla Burke: https://www.thetechlevel.com/ Kayla Burke LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/burkekayla/  More about Women Sales Pros - we have a website, we are on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.  Subscribe to our 2x a month news, and share the podcast with others! We'd love a 5 star rating and comments on iTunes if you are so moved! It really makes a difference.  subscribe: https://bit.ly/thewspnews Contribute: https://forms.gle/v9rRiPDUtgGqKaXA6 Past News Issues: bit.ly/past_news_issues https://womensalespros.com/podcast/ 

BUSINESS: Analysts: Policy rate cut now more likely | Feb. 7, 2025Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.netFollow us:Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebookInstagram - https://tmt.ph/instagramTwitter - https://tmt.ph/twitterDailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotionSubscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digitalSign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newslettersCheck out our Podcasts:Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotifyApple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcastsAmazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusicDeezer: https://tmt.ph/deezerStitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SLU/Chaifetz School of Business Professor and KMOX Business Analyst, Jerome Katz, joins Megan Lynch as several stories about the pharmaceutical industry made headlines this week.

CBS's Jill Schlesinger joins Debbie and Tom to recap the announcement of pending trade tariffs to be imposed by Donald Trump on a pair of key trading partners.

KMOX Business Analyst and SLU/Chaifetz School of Business expects negotiations between the US and other countries over tariffs.

What in the world is a business analyst? Join Doug and Jess in this episode of The RevOps Show as they provide a definition of the business analyst role, discuss the skills needed, when an organization should hire one, and the problems that a business analyst helps solve.For updates on new episodes follow us on:LinkedIn: Lift Enablement, Doug Davidoff, Jess CardenasSubscribe to our YouTube channel!You can access the show notes and watch the video version of the show on our page. Thanks for listening and remember to just say no to shitty RevOps!

KMOX Business analyst Jerome Katz joins Megan Lynch weekly. This week, new leadership coming to Panera and a look at Holiday sales. Credit: © David Benda/Record Searchlight/USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK

Send us a textAnyone who lands an offer at McKinsey - one of the world's most selective firms - did SOMETHING right. Madeleine recently secured a 2025 Business Analyst role, so we had to bring her on the pod to get all the deets.Listen for Madeleine's best tips on:Prepping for the McKinsey PEI (Personal Experience Interview)Overcoming a lack of quant skillsBeing someone McKinsey wants to hireMaximizing your networkEpisode LinksStrategy Sprint one-week consulting project: learn more and joinUnlock top consulting jobs on the Management Consulted Job BoardGet the All Access Pass, a one-stop shop consulting prep curriculum (students at partner schools get complimentary access)Free Case Math DrillsConnect With Management Consulted Follow Management Consulted on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and industry insights. Schedule a free 15min consultation with a member of the Management Consulted team. Join an upcoming live event - case interviews demos, expert panels, and more. Email our team (team@managementconsulted.com) with any questions or feedback.

SLU/Chaifetz School of Business Professor Jerome Katz joins Megan Lynch with his weekly segment. How did restaurants fare in the year?

CBS Business analyst Jill Schlesinger joins Debbie and Tom regarding a new survey showing that Americans seem to be "getting used to" about prices. She says that is a good sign.

Today on the Salesforce Admins Podcast, we talk to Megan Tuano, Sr. Business Analyst at Accenture Federal Services and an amazing YouTube content creator. Join us as we chat about navigating career transitions in tech, the power of AI, and making your mark in the Salesforce ecosystem. You should subscribe for the full episode, but […] The post How Agentforce Is Changing the Career Landscape appeared first on Salesforce Admins.

KMOX Business Analyst Jerome Katz, SLU/Chaifetz School of Business Professor, joins Megan Lynch and comments on the expansion of broadband as well as repurposed commercial real-estate as housing.

Be more prepared for the future of the freight market as James Currier is back on the show for his insights into equipment financing in 2025! This episode with James covers lenders' perspectives amidst recent high-profile bankruptcies, the importance of proactive communication with lenders who are offering flexible options like refinancing and interest-only payments, a more competitive landscape for small and medium-sized trucking firms in 2025, trends in the used truck market, and the value of networking through associations!   About James Currier James Currier is the Chief Revenue Officer at Finloc USA, where James leads the sales team across the country in a relentless pursuit for increased market share in the equipment finance field. After starting his professional career as a Business Analyst in the healthcare field, James came to realize that his passions were best suited to dealing with people and organizations aiming for growth. After a two year contract was completed with Fraser & Interior Health Authorities in British Columbia, a career change ensued and James has not looked back since. Combining the analytical fundamentals learned in healthcare and a natural gravitation towards people and business development, James has thrived in a sales career since 2012, leading, managing, and training dozens of people over the past several years. Subsequent to the completion of a >$400MM acquisition at his previous company, James made the jump to Finloc where he was first tasked with hiring and redeveloping the Ontario, Canada market. James was then assigned to manage the US division for Finloc as a player/coach, originating new asset-based financing opportunities and finding, attracting, and training new talent. James has worked in an exceptionally diverse range of roles since the age of 15, starting as a minor hockey league referee. His openness to new experience has allowed James to experience positions as a head of high-profile security, high-adventure whitewater rafter guide, Corporal in the Canadian Armed Forces Infantry Reserve, business analyst, VIP/Private security operative, personal support worker, guitar teacher, and sales leader. As a well-versed hobbyist who enjoys learning and new experiences, James enjoys coaching/playing/watching hockey, swimming, guitar, hunting, fly fishing, boating/canoeing, cycling, hiking, woodworking, motorcycling, reading, DIY projects, and evening walks with his wife, 2 boys, and golden retriever.   Connect with James LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-currier-clfp-232b0842/?originalSubdomain=ca  Email: james.currier@finloc.com  

This week, Tyler is joined by Vincent, a talented Business Analyst from Richmond with a creative soul that spans far beyond the corporate world. Vincent is the guitarist for Big Red and the Cowboy Killers, a psychedelic rock band with an original sound that reflects his deep passion for music. In this episode, Vincent shares the journey of forming the band, his favorite live performances, and how legendary guitarists like Trey Anastasio, Mark Speer, John Scofield, and Jimi Hendrix have influenced his style. Music remains at the heart of this episode as Vincent dives into the magic of live shows—both as a performer and a fan. He discusses the energy, connection, and creativity that comes alive on stage and the unforgettable moments from the concerts that shaped his own musical journey. The conversation turns to sports, where Vincent's die-hard loyalty to the Tennessee Volunteers, Buffalo Bills, and LA Dodgers shines. From the intricacies of NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals in college football to the impacts of conference realignment, his insights are both passionate and thought-provoking. Whether analyzing player performances or sharing his love for game day traditions, Vincent's enthusiasm is contagious. As a devoted fan of fantasy worlds, Vincent explores how his love for storytelling and imaginative universes—especially Warhammer 40K—inspire his creative endeavors. His insights on the richness of fantasy as a genre reflect his appreciation for its ability to transport us to places far beyond the ordinary. Video games also take center stage, as Vincent discusses some of his favorite franchises, including The Last of Us, Legend of Zelda, Pokemon, and nostalgic classics like Spyro the Dragon. These games provide not only entertainment but also avenues for connection, creativity, and escape. This episode is a vibrant tapestry of music, sports, gaming, and fantasy, showcasing Vincent's multifaceted passions and thoughtful perspectives. Don't miss this conversation—it's a journey through creativity, fandom, and the things that make life richer and more meaningful.

SLU/Chaifetz School of Business Jerome Katz joins Megan Lynch, predicting a big box office weekend from "Wicked" and "Gladiator 2" Credit: © SOPA Images

Scott King is the Director of Talent Acquisition and Learning for Rexel and Antonio Jurisic is a Data and Business Analyst for Schneider Electric.

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This episode of the Eye on AI podcast is sponsored by JLL. JLL's AI solutions are transforming the real estate landscape, accelerating growth, streamlining operations and unlocking hidden value in properties and portfolios. From predictive analytics to intelligent automation, JLL is creating smarter buildings, more efficient workplaces and sustainable cities. To learn more about JLL and AI, visit: jll.com/AI     In this episode of the *Eye on AI* podcast, we explore the world of AI at Google Cloud with Nenshad Bardoliwalla, Director of Product Management for Vertex AI.   Nenshad unpacks the three core layers of Vertex AI: the Model Garden, where users can access and evaluate a diverse range of models; the Model Builder, which supports model fine-tuning and prompt optimization; and the Agent Builder, designed to develop AI agents that can perform complex, goal-oriented tasks.   He shares insights into model evaluation strategies, the role of Google's Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) in scaling AI infrastructure, and how enterprises can choose the right models based on performance, cost, and regulatory requirements.   Nenshad also delves into the challenges and opportunities of AI prompt optimization, highlighting Google's approach to ensuring consistent outputs across different models. He discusses the ethical considerations in AI design, emphasizing the need for human oversight and clear guardrails to maintain safety.   Whether you're in AI, tech, or curious about AI's potential impact, this episode is packed with insights on next-gen AI deployment.   Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more episodes!     Stay Updated: Craig Smith Twitter: https://twitter.com/craigss Eye on A.I. Twitter: https://twitter.com/EyeOn_AI (00:00) Introduction to Nenshad Bardoliwalla & Vertex AI (01:52) Overview of Vertex AI's Three Core Layers (05:35) Nenshad's Journey to Google Cloud (06:36) Choosing the Right AI Model (08:00) Google's AI Infrastructure & Tensor Processing Units (TPUs) (10:15) Model Builder: Fine-Tuning & Prompt Optimization (12:11) Agent Builder: Building AI Agents with Tools & Planning (17:57) Model Evaluation & Prompt Management (21:23) Generative AI for Business Analysts (23:24) AI Model Modality & Use Case Selection (25:23) Popularity Distribution of AI Models (28:18) Prompt Optimization Tools (34:20) Building AI Agents: Real-World Use Cases & Ethical Safeguards (40:13) The Capabilities & Limitations of AI Agents (45:48) TPU vs. GPU (50:33) Future of AI at Google Cloud