Podcasts about processes

BONUS: Guardrails Over Processes—How to Scale Teams Without Killing Creativity What actually slows down tech teams—lack of talent, or lack of ownership? In this episode, Prashanth Tondapu shares lessons from leading through global-scale failures, scaling from a small team to a 100-person company, and discovering why guardrails beat rigid processes when it comes to building teams that own outcomes and execute with discipline. Diffusion of Accountability: When Everyone Is Responsible, Nobody Is "Crisis is not the problem. Crisis is the one that uncovers the problem that has always existed."   Early in his career, Prashanth witnessed a large-scale failure at a major technology company—not because the team lacked talent, but because accountability had become diffused. When too many people are responsible for something, it translates to nobody being responsible. The team was brilliant individually, but there was no clear demarcation of who owned what outcome. On good days, everything worked. But when things went wrong, there was no single person who could no longer delegate accountability to someone else. In this segment, we also refer to the concept from Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink. Prashant argues for: outcome can only come with 100% emotional commitment to a particular problem, and when five people share that commitment, each carries only 20%. That's where breakdowns happen. The Leadership Design Problem: From Computers to People "I was a developer who imagined that humans are also going to be as predictable as computers. Until 6 or 7 people, it works well because you can be everywhere. But as soon as we increased above 7, I was not able to be everywhere."   Prashanth's journey as a founder mirrors what many tech leaders experience at scale. Starting Innostax at 27 as a developer with no management experience, he initially treated people like predictable systems. Below seven people, it worked—he could be the hero founder, the catch-all. But beyond that threshold, he had to learn delegation, which meant learning to trust. First came the people-dependent phase, then the process-oriented phase with SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for everything—even how APIs should look. The SOPs made the team fast at execution, but their clients noticed something troubling: "Your guys do not even ask any questions." The rigid processes had suppressed the very creativity and critical thinking they needed. That feedback became the catalyst for the next evolution: becoming a people-first company. Guardrails vs. Processes: Freeing Creativity Within Structure "If something goes wrong, our guardrail is: we will just ask you one question—what was your intent behind doing this?"   Prashanth draws a sharp distinction between processes and guardrails. Processes tell you exactly what to do and how to do it—they create predictable execution but kill creativity. Guardrails define the boundaries within which people have freedom to be creative and solve problems their own way. At Innostax, guardrails take practical forms:   Time-on-task guardrails: If a task takes longer than expected, ask for help—don't rabbit-hole into it for three days Don't be a hero: When friction appears with a client or a problem, escalate early rather than trying to solve everything alone The intent review: When something goes wrong, instead of punishment, they ask three questions—was the intent right, was the approach right, and what was the outcome? If intent and approach were right but it still failed, that's the company's problem, not the individual's   This framework creates psychological safety while maintaining accountability. People know they won't be penalized for honest mistakes made with good intent, which means they surface problems early rather than hiding them. Vision Elements and the People-First Company "The outcome is not just what is expected, but outcome also consists of what is not expected. People come out in so many creative, great ways that they end up surprising you."   The shift to a people-first company meant replacing rigid SOPs with what Prashanth calls "vision elements"—broader directional guidance like "we are working for the client, we need to give the best for the client in the resources that we have." This gives teams a larger sandbox to work in while guardrails prevent them from going too far off course.  The daily rhythm includes team leads reviewing work summaries—not to micromanage, but to catch misalignment early and offer support. Prashanth emphasizes that guardrails must be created with emotional intelligence and detachment. If you create guardrails assuming you're also part of the problem, they'll be biased and ineffective. That's why he considers emotional intelligence the prerequisite skill for any leader designing team structures. The Books That Changed Everything "Whenever I was reading through the fixed mindset guy, it was like it was describing me. And that actually changed everything."   Prashanth recommends two foundational books for leaders building ownership-driven teams. First, Mindset by Carol Dweck—a book that cracked his own fixed mindset as a confident developer who thought he knew everything. Reading about the fixed mindset felt like reading his own biography, and that uncomfortable recognition opened him to listening more, seeking exposure to experts, and believing there were perspectives he hadn't encountered yet. Second, Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman—because without mastering emotional intelligence, everything you hear feels personal, clouding your judgment and making you too close to the problem to design effective solutions for your team.   Self-reflection Question: Are you building guardrails that give your team freedom to be creative within clear boundaries, or are you still writing processes that tell people exactly what to do—and in the process, suppressing the very thinking you hired them for?   About Prashanth Tondapu Prashanth Tondapu is Founder and CEO of Innostax and a veteran technology leader. He's led teams through high-stakes global incidents at McAfee and scaled disciplined delivery organizations worldwide. His work focuses on ownership, accountability, and designing teams for predictable, sustainable execution as complexity grows.   You can link with Prashanth Tondapu on LinkedIn.

In this episode of the Manufacturing Culture Podcast, host Jim Mayer speaks with Justin Keskel, a multifaceted expert in CNC machining and modern manufacturing. They explore Justin's journey into the trades, the importance of mentorship, and the evolving culture within manufacturing. The conversation delves into the daily challenges faced by machinists, the significance of processes and attention to detail, and the current trends impacting the industry. Justin shares insights on the future of manufacturing, the need for greater awareness of skilled trades, and his aspirations for legacy and mentorship in the field.TakeawaysJustin Keskel emphasizes the importance of community in manufacturing.Culture in manufacturing is defined by the alignment of people and values.Mentorship serves as a shortcut for learning in the trades.Attention to detail is crucial for successful machining.Processes in manufacturing help improve efficiency and profitability.No two manufacturing shops operate the same way, highlighting the diversity in the industry.Awareness of the skilled trades is essential for attracting new talent.The future of manufacturing will likely involve more advanced technology and AI.Changing perceptions of manufacturing is necessary to attract younger generations.Justin aims to contribute to the next generation of skilled workers.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Modern Manufacturing and Community Building03:36 Justin's Journey into Machining05:47 The Importance of Culture in Manufacturing08:29 Sharing Experiences on LinkedIn10:39 Memorable Moments in Trade Shows13:16 Attention to Detail and Process Flow15:44 Challenges Facing Modern Shops18:22 The Role of Mentorship in Manufacturing20:40 Visiting Other Shops and Learning23:08 Raising Awareness for Manufacturing Careers25:21 Dispelling Myths About Manufacturing27:49 The Future of Manufacturing and AI30:11 Conclusion and Legacy

Susan Stinsmuehlen-Amend is an artist for whom ideas have always been more important than media, and possibly more integral to her work. It's interesting then that her art has been consistently viewed through the lens of glass. In the creation of her early X series to more recent Calendar Notations, she has pioneered techniques such as non-traditional, unfired painting on glass, mixing glass with other media, and presenting painted, decorated glass on the wall in reflected light. Throughout her career, the artist distilled her own life experiences in the creation of progressive and experimental work.  While studying Fine Arts at the University of Texas, Austin, in 1973, Stinsmuehlen-Amend was serendipitously introduced to glass and went on to become partner with Rodney Smith and designer of Renaissance Glass, an architectural glass studio. Beyond teaching and employing 14 artists, she built a creative hub that included studio space, glass supplies, a hot glass studio, education and exhibitions. Understanding the cutting edge in the field, Stinsmuehlen-Amend invited luminaries in the Studio Glass movement such as Dale Chihuly, Paul Marioni, William Morris, and Narcissus Quagliata, among others, to lecture and teach in the early 1980s. The studio became the center for contemporary glass in Texas from 1973 to 1987. While balancing single motherhood, donating time to the arts, and running her business, she became the Glass Art Society's first woman president (1984 – '86).  Concurrent with designing stained glass commissions, Stinsmuehlen-Amend was determined to make the craft form a means for personal expression. Through experimentation and rebellion and influenced by the local punk scene, her radical fashion designer best friend, Pattern & Decoration and Neo-Expressionism in art, as well as innovations in the world of craft, her work became unrestrained, kinetic, glittery, and jarring—defiantly not "tasteful" or functional. Combining mixed media with glass was a new idea at the time. For Stinsmuehlen-Amend, the shifting qualities of glass itself—its capacity to reveal, obscure, reflect, and distort—became integral to how meaning unfolds. Rooted in stained glass's narrative tradition, her story emerged through her everyday stream of consciousness rooted in the surreal logic of dreams.  In 1987, Stinsmuehlen-Amend relocated to Los Angeles, where she became a full-time artist; solo exhibitions and dynamic public art commissions followed. She was the lead artist on the Hollywood Demonstration Project in Hollywood, completing a precast concrete crosswalk with inlaid glass and bronze and an adjunct wrought iron public space. In 1994, she completed leaded glass for the AT&T corporate headquarters and The Jewish Museum, both in in New York City. Throughout these decades, she maintained her commitment to teaching, returning to Pilchuck Glass School repeatedly (1980 to 2019) and serving as a visiting artist at RISD, RIT, Tyler School of Art, California College of the Arts, and numerous other institutions. Stinsmuehlen-Amend's work is included in major collections including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Detroit Institute of the Arts, Oakland Museum of California, Corning Museum of Glass, Tacoma Museum of Glass, and Museum of Art and Design. She has received two National Endowment for the Arts Fellowships, two Pilchuck Hauberg Fellowships, and the 2007 Brychtová Libenský Award. The artist served 14 years on Pilchuck's Board of Directors and is a Trustee Emeritus of The American Craft Council and an Honorary Life Member of the Glass Art Society. She was recently awarded by the American Craft Council with the biennial College of Fellows honor for contributions to the craft ecosystem. Opening on May 16, 2026, at the Corning Museum of Glass, Tough Stuff: Women in the American Glass Studio will feature Stinsmuehlen-Amend's work. This new exhibition celebrates the female artists who revolutionized American Studio glass. The artist states: "Many artists found my loose and inclusive approach to working with glass inspirational because I was continually violating preconceived notions about craft and glass specifically."  

So far on this podcast we've generally used the noun "sediment" to describe sand, gravel, and maybe cobbles and boulders. But the same word also gets used for silts, clays, and muds - materials that behave so differently that lumping them together as "sediment" can blur important distinctions.  This podcast was overdue for a conversation about fine sediment, and I knew exactly who I wanted to talk to.In the notebook where I track episode ideas, I labeled this one the “ERDC Cohesive Brain Trust.” I wanted to sit down with the team for the Corps of Engineers that I call when I have questions about "very small sediment", and the team I point engineers toward when they need cohesive measurements or insight for a project or model.That team is Dr. Dave Perkey, Dr. Jarrell Smith, and Dr. Danielle Tarpley, all based at the USACE Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (CHL) at the Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg. A lot of the Corps' sediment expertise lives there. We've had several guests from ERDC over the years, and I've spent a lot of my own career collaborating with sediment specialists there. But Dave, Jarrell, and Danielle work on a part of the sediment world that is very different from the sand-and-gravel problems that dominate a lot of my work.Their focus is sediment that is finer - often much finer - than about 60 to 70 microns, roughly the diameter of a human hair. In the first half of this conversation, they lay out the basic properties and processes of cohesive sediment. Then we move into the research they've done to push that science forward. So whether mud is new territory for you or already part of your world, I think there's a lot here that you will find useful.Dave Perkey has spent nearly two decades at ERDC studying cohesive sediment properties and processes, especially erosion, transport, and geochemical composition. He also manages the Regional Sediment Management program - the RSM behind the title of this podcast - and it is not much of a stretch to say this season would not exist without him.Jarrell Smith has been a research engineer at ERDC since 1994, working on sediment transport, hydrodynamics, cohesive and mixed beds, and sediment-vegetation-turbulence interactions. We also talk about one of the tools he's especially known for, the Particle Imaging Camera System, or PICS, which I recently recommended on one of our own reservoir projects.Danielle Tarpley is a research oceanographer whose work spans sediment transport and hydrodynamics in inland and coastal settings. She works across field data collection, analysis, and modeling, and brings a great project-grounded perspective to the conversation.Dave, Jarrell, and Danielle took different paths through the Carolinas for their master's work, but all earned PhDs through VIMS at William & Mary.And watch the HEC sediment YouTube channel for some videos illustrating the fine-sediment measurement techniques they describe.This series was funded by the Regional Sediment Management (RSM) program.Mike Loretto edited the first three seasons and created the theme music.Tessa Hall is editing most of Season 4.Stanford Gibson (HEC Sediment Specialist) hosts.Video shorts and other bonus content are available at the podcast website:https://www.hec.usace.army.mil/confluence/rasdocs/rastraining/latest/the-rsm-river-mechanics-podcast...but most of the supplementary videos are available on the HEC Sediment YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/user/stanfordgibsonIf you have guest recommendations or feedback you can reach out to me on LinkedIn or ResearchGate or fill out this recommendation and feedback form: https://forms.gle/wWJLVSEYe7S8Cd248

We had a Simple Talks podcast recently where we discussed roll forward vs roll back. You can watch the episode and listen to our thoughts, but one interesting place was when we talked about deployments. Grant mentioned that he deployed from version control/source control at a previous employer. I asked him whether he did that for every system. His response: "Well, ..." He admitted that most, but not all, databases came from a controlled source. There were some systems that had a more ad hoc change process. I wonder how many of you have consistent processes throughout your organization. I suspect not many of you do, especially if an organization isn't small. Often, different groups and applications are in a constant state of flux, with lots of different processes and protocols. Read the rest of Multiple Deployment Processes

In This Episode What happens when a business grows without clearly defined processes? According to Nick Foy, the result is often hidden chaos that leaders don't fully recognize until operations become difficult to manage. In this episode, Adi Klevit interviews Nick Foy, Founder and CEO of Silverdale Technology and Pinanga, about the role of processes in creating stability and scalability within organizations. Drawing from decades of consulting experience, Nick explains why many companies struggle with operations simply because they cannot clearly describe how work actually flows through the business. Adi and Nick explore Nick's "mechanism" approach to implementing processes. This framework focuses on four key elements: the process itself, the tools that enforce the process, adoption by the team, and ongoing auditing to ensure the process continues to function over time. When any one of these components is missing, implementation often fails. The conversation also addresses a common misconception about process documentation. Many organizations treat documentation as a one-time exercise for compliance purposes. Instead, Nick emphasizes that processes must be integrated into daily work, accessible to employees, and continuously improved to remain effective.  

Karen Martin joins Mark Graban for a wide-ranging Ask the Expert session, answering audience questions on organizational clarity, leadership behavior, value stream mapping, and continuous improvement.Topics and questions covered include:Why organizations adopt Lean tools but still lack clarity around priorities, roles, and decision rights -- and the first discipline leaders should adopt to fix itWhat to do when senior leadership has lost enthusiasm for the Lean journeyHow to prevent "automating waste" when AI and automation enthusiasm outpaces process stability -- and why "a process has to earn the right to be automated"Whether bloated management layers or frontline cuts are the real problem when economic pressure hitsHow to get leaders to recognize their job is to develop people and remove barriersHow to tell whether non-compliance with a mapped process points to a design flaw or an implementation failureCentralizing vs. distributing CI capabilities -- and why the CI team's real job is teaching, not doingWhy the X-Matrix confuses leaders and what Karen uses insteadThe first signs of operational excellence (or its absence) when walking a manufacturing floorHow to influence leadership when there's no top-down sponsorshipAdapting value stream mapping for variable, non-linear work environmentsWhat to do when an organization is too busy fighting fires to improveKeeping CI momentum through executive and frontline turnoverHow to avoid "gemba theater"What motivates Karen to keep going when teams are stuckKaren Martin is a two-time Shingo Award-winning author of Clarity First, The Outstanding Organization, Value Stream Mapping, and Metrics-Based Process Mapping. She is the founder of TKMG and TKMG Academy.Learn more about Karen's work: https://tkmg.comTKMG Academy: https://tkmgacademy.com

We want to hear from you, Send us a TextIn this episode we talk about the frustrating reality of bad Jeep parts and questionable processes in the aftermarket. From expensive components that fail far sooner than they should, to “premium” brands that don't stand behind their products when things go wrong, we break down what we've been seeing in the shop. We also call out a few specific brands and experiences along the way—so if you're into the real, unfiltered side of the Jeep world, you'll want to stick around for this one.Support the showThanks for listening, give us a review and check us out on YouTube -SFJ4x4 and visit our website to grab some great gear or products for your Jeep, SFJ4x4.com. Don't forget, you can email Jeffc@sfj4x4.com for special content requests, blind react videos, suggestions, special guests, or general questions. Check out our Patreon patreon.com/ISpeakJeep

Every outcome is preceded by an outcome. Are you happy with your process? 

In This Episode AI is powerful—but without structured processes and reliable data, it cannot deliver meaningful results. In this episode, Adi Klevit interviews Bryan DeBois about how artificial intelligence is transforming manufacturing and industrial systems. Bryan explains why the excitement around generative AI often overlooks the unique realities of plant-floor operations, where errors can have serious consequences. In high-stakes environments like manufacturing, organizations must carefully choose the right type of AI for the job. Adi and Bryan discuss the difference between generative AI, predictive models, and autonomous AI systems. Bryan shares how manufacturers can use predictive analytics to forecast product quality, optimize set points, and improve operational performance. These models are designed to solve operational problems rather than simply generate information. The conversation also highlights a critical systems principle: AI only works when businesses have already documented their processes and established strong data collection practices. Bryan explains how companies capture expert knowledge through a process called "machine teaching," allowing AI systems to learn from experienced operators and apply that expertise to improve future performance.  

We spoke to a major booster of President Trump and a proponent of military intervention in Iran. He doesn’t speak for the wide spectrum of Iranian-American thinking — but he does represent a mode of thought that is very visible and very loud in the Pacific Northwest. Most of the street demonstrations in the Seattle area have been organized by the pro-intervention faction of Seattle’s Iranian diaspora. Plus, we hear from other Iranian-Americans about how they are processing the war. Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible. If you want to help out, go to https://www.kuow.org/donate/soundpolitics/.Sound Politics is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network. Our editor is Catharine Smith. Our producer is Hans Anderson. Our hosts are Libby Denkmann and Scott Greenstone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is brought to you by Control Concepts Inc. Food and beverage processing engineers have much to balance when designing and optimizing facilities and production lines — including maintaining optimum food safety and process performance. Implementation of hygienic air-handling systems should be a critical piece of that puzzle, says Henry Tiffany, president of Control Concepts Inc., who shares insights on how processors can ensure product integrity and safety, using innovative dry-cleaning systems.  This episode is sponsored by Control Concepts Inc. Learn more about Control Concepts' AirSweep material activation systems.

This week, Wes and Todd talk with Photographer, Bailey Russel. Bailey talks about teaching photography at the University of Wyoming, his art related experience before teaching, wet plate collodion, getting his M.A. from NYU in conjunction with the International Center of Photography, Vera Lutter, what made him want to become a photographer, Emmet Gowin, camera obscuras & the process, the Sesquicentennial Colorado River Exploring Expedition, his trailer camera, chemigrams, cyanotypes & his series on energy production, and his solo exhibition, “Western Extraction”, at Bitfactory Gallery.Join us for an informative and fascinating conversation with Bailey Russel!Check out Bailey's work at his website https://baileyrussel.wordpress.comFollow Bailey on social media:Instagram - www.instagram.com/bailey_russel/ - @bailey_russel Check out Bailey's solo exhibition, “Western Extraction”, at Bitfactory Gallery through March 14th, 2026For more information go to www.bitfactory.netSend a text Follow us on Instagram: @tenetpodcast - www.instagram.com/tenetpodcast/ @wesbrn - www.instagram.com/wesbrn/ @toddpiersonphotography - www.instagram.com/toddpiersonphotography/ Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/TenetPodcast/ Email us at todd@toddpierson.com If you enjoyed this episode or any of our previous episodes, please consider taking a moment and leaving us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Thanks for listening!

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/hypnosis-and-relaxation-sound-therapy9715/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

March 4th, 2026

In this episode, I address key person risk for founders and CEOs, highlighting the importance of not having the business hinge on a single leader. I discuss strategies for creating robust systems and empowering teams to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance business value for investors. As a CEO coach, I emphasize transitioning to a team-driven culture that fosters stability and effective communication. I provide actionable insights to help leaders build sustainable growth that persists beyond their involvement. Episode Highlights & Time Stamps 0:09 Introduction to Key Person Risk 1:38 Understanding Your Value in Business 4:06 Transitioning from Work to People Focus 4:55 The Importance of Team-Driven Leadership 5:59 Exploring Solutions to Key Person Risk 6:40 Conclusion and Next Steps The Hidden Threat to Business Value: Key Person Risk If the success of a company depends heavily on one individual — often the founder or CEO — the business becomes less valuable to investors or buyers. A company that cannot operate smoothly without its leader signals higher risk, which typically leads to lower valuation multiples. Gene challenges leaders to ask themselves a tough question: If you're the most valuable person in your company, how valuable is the company itself? Moving from Doer to Leader Reducing key person risk requires a shift in leadership identity. Instead of being the primary driver of sales, marketing, or operations, CEOs must transition from task-focused work to people-focused leadership. This shift can be uncomfortable. Founders often feel they can do things faster or better themselves, which keeps them stuck in daily execution. But long-term growth depends on developing decision-makers across the organization. Gene describes this transition as crossing a "leadership ravine" — moving from hands-on contributor to strategic leader who builds systems, confidence, and problem-solving capacity in others. Building a Company That Runs Without You A business becomes more valuable when it is team-driven rather than founder-dependent. Investors and buyers look for: Strong leadership at multiple levels Clear communication and alignment systems Accountability structures Empowered employees who make decisions Processes that continue generating customers and results without the CEO's involvement When these elements are in place, the company can operate smoothly even if the founder steps away — dramatically increasing scalability and valuation potential.

Welcome to The Chrisman Commentary, your go-to daily mortgage news podcast, where industry insights meet expert analysis. Hosted by Robbie Chrisman, this podcast delivers the latest updates on mortgage rates, capital markets, and the forces shaping the housing finance landscape. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just looking to stay informed, you'll get clear, concise breakdowns of market trends and economic shifts that impact the mortgage world.In today's episode, we look at the latest M&A chatter from around the industry. Plus, Robbie sits down with FirstClose's Andria Lightfoot for a discussion on modernizing processes with low-lift digital entry points to eliminate bottlenecks,boost borrower satisfaction, and stay competitive in the evolving home equity market. And we close by looking at what the geopolitical events in the Middle East are doing to mortgage rates.This week's podcasts are sponsored by Feewise, which turns mortgage compliance from bottleneck to business accelerator. Handle all the complexities involved with establishing TRID compliant fees and disclosures, achieve sign off, and deliver packages to your consumers for review or signature.

Host: Annik Sobing Guest: Kenneth G. Peters Published: February 2026 Length: ~20 minutes Presented by: Global Training Center GTM Software Prep: Don't Install Until You've Done These 3 Things First In this Simply Trade Roundup, Annik talks with Kenneth G. Peters, President at MIC US and Director of Commercial Operations in North America, about Global Trade Management (GTM) software—specifically, what trade teams must do before implementation to avoid creating “digital chaos.” Ken shares real talk from his ATCC presentation on data cleanup, process mapping, and testing, plus why “cleaning your data like you're hosting the in-laws” is now his signature advice. Shoutout to Alison for the killer slides.​ What You'll Learn in This Episode Ken's new grandpa status (the little guy is 7 months old—congrats!) and why it's the “next step in life” that keeps him energized for trade tech.​ The #1 mistake companies make with GTM software Data cleanup first: Don't dump junk into GTM. Scrub inactive vendors, obsolete parts, invalid HS codes (like 111111 or all zeros). Clean it like you're hosting the in-laws—no mess allowed. Why: GTM amplifies what you give it. Bad data in = faster mistakes out.​ Avoid the “Big Bang” implementation trap Don't try to do everything at once (denied party screening + classification + FTA rules + solicitation). Start small: Classification (builds the foundation—parts, HS codes, values). Denied party screening (uses your vendor/part data). FTA analysis (relies on classification/HS from step 1). Why: Master data dependencies mean you build once and reuse everywhere.​ Processes over pixels GTM won't fix broken workflows. Map your processes before going live. If your current setup is emailing Excel files between systems, you're not automating—you're digitizing chaos. True automation: ERP ↔ GTM via SFTP, APIs, XML—no human hands on keyboards. Reduces errors, speeds everything up.​ Who owns what after go‑live MIC US (GTM provider): Manages the software backend—reg updates, HS databases, platform maintenance. Your team: Owns the process (classification, entry creation, decision‑making). Someone still reviews outputs for accuracy. No “managed services” from MIC—GTM is a tool, not a full‑service outsource.​ Testing: where most implementations fail Allocate real time and resources to testing—don't rush it. Test end‑to‑end: data flow, workflows, edge cases. Why: Skipped or rushed testing = live problems that cost more to fix later.​ “If your systems are emailing Excel files to each other, you're not automating” Ken's golden rule: Hands‑off data flow (ERP → GTM) eliminates errors. Excel handoffs = manual errors waiting to happen.​ Key Takeaways Clean data first: Active parts, valid HS, no ghosts—GTM makes good data shine and bad data explode.​ Start small, build smart: Classification → screening → FTA, not “big bang everything.”​ Fix processes before pixels: GTM won't save broken workflows; it speeds them up.​ Testing = non‑negotiable: Rushed testing = expensive live fixes.​ GTM is a force multiplier—if your foundation is solid.​ Credits Host: Annik Sobing Guest: Kenneth G. Peters, President, MIC US Producer: Annik Sobing  Listen & Subscribe Simply Trade main page: https://simplytrade.podbean.com​ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/simply-trade/id1640329690​ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/09m199JO6fuNumbcrHTkGq​ Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8de7d7fa-38e0-41b2-bad3-b8a3c5dc4cda/simply-trade​ Connect with Simply Trade Podcast page: https://www.globaltrainingcenter.com/simply-trade-podcast​ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/simply-trade-podcast​ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SimplyTradePod​ Join the Trade Geeks Community Trade Geeks (by Global Training Center): https://globaltrainingcenter.com/trade-geeks/  

In this episode of ASCII Anything, Moser's Janie Stryjewski and Sam Ly join us to explore why onboarding and offboarding matter more than ever in modern organizations. From security and compliance to culture and employee experience, these processes form the bookends of the employee lifecycle. We discuss the critical role of IT in creating smooth, secure, and human-centered transitions, and how organizations can avoid costly missteps like access issues, data exposure, or inconsistent communication. Whether you're in HR, IT, leadership, or operations, this conversation will equip you with practical insights to strengthen trust, improve retention, and protect your organization from risk. Because every “hello” and every “until next time” deserves to be done well.

In this episode of "Porch Talk," I take you through my personal journey of growth over the past year, focusing on how I've come to understand the critical role that processes play in business success. From learning to delegate effectively to managing my team with clarity, I share the lessons I've learned about creating structured systems that not only elevate my business but also align with my faith and calling.

Great ideas don't fail in dealerships because they're bad. They fail because no one installs the behavior fast enough. In this episode of Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki, Jen breaks down a simple, high-energy methodology to help leaders stop "motivating" and start installing execution inside their stores. Most dealerships don't have a training problem — they have an execution problem. Processes get rolled out. Energy fades. Thirty days later, nothing sticks. Jen shares her proven meeting framework — used at NADA Academy and in high-performing stores — to compress action, build accountability, and make learning fun and sustainable. You'll learn how to: • Pick one behavior and install it fast • Teach a technique in under 20 seconds • Use real examples to drive discussion • Create immediate execution through activity • Run contests that build visibility and accountability • Shortlist, vote, and let the team own the win This is about turning meetings into movement. Not speeches. Not theater. Behavior change. If you're a GM, GSM, Fixed Ops Director, Sales Manager, or Service Manager who's tired of initiatives fading out — this episode gives you a repeatable structure to make things stick. Momentum doesn't come from motivation. It comes from movement. Dealer Talk with Jen Suzuki Podcast |

Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com   Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com  **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102   See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire   See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/  

Want to Start or Grow a Successful Business? Schedule a FREE 13-Point Assessment with Clay Clark Today At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com   Join Clay Clark's Thrivetime Show Business Workshop!!! Learn Branding, Marketing, SEO, Sales, Workflow Design, Accounting & More. **Request Tickets & See Testimonials At: www.ThrivetimeShow.com  **Request Tickets Via Text At (918) 851-0102   See the Thousands of Success Stories and Millionaires That Clay Clark Has Helped to Produce HERE: https://www.thrivetimeshow.com/testimonials/ Download A Millionaire's Guide to Become Sustainably Rich: A Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Successful Money-Generating and Time-Freedom Creating Business HERE: www.ThrivetimeShow.com/Millionaire   See Thousands of Case Studies Today HERE: www.thrivetimeshow.com/does-it-work/  

Eric sits down with David Henderson, Principal Architect for NetDevOps at Presidio, to discuss the practical journey for network engineers transitioning from manual CLI operations to scalable NetDevOps and automation. They discuss how traditional networking knowledge and certifications are foundational, and suggest essential tools and habits for beginning your automation journey. David also shares a... Read more »

Eric sits down with David Henderson, Principal Architect for NetDevOps at Presidio, to discuss the practical journey for network engineers transitioning from manual CLI operations to scalable NetDevOps and automation. They discuss how traditional networking knowledge and certifications are foundational, and suggest essential tools and habits for beginning your automation journey. David also shares a... Read more »

In this episode, we have the pleasure of exploring the disciplined art of leadership communication with expert guest Chris Hallberg. We dive deep into the power of systems thinking, the real risks of avoiding hard conversations, and how clear agreements—not blind expectations—drive accountability and success. From practical hiring strategies to lessons learned from military leadership, we uncover valuable methods for inspiring commitment and elevating performance within any team. Join us as we discover actionable insights that empower us to build stronger, more impactful organizations and relationships.Timestamps: (00:00) - Introducing Chris Hallberg and episode topics.(02:26) - The risks of avoiding hard conversations.(03:27) - How unresolved issues escalate in organizations.(06:06) - Operating systems and clear agreements for leaders.(11:56) - Transforming expectations into agreements to prevent workplace tension.(13:11) - Utilizing Lencioni's five dysfunctions to build trust and accountability.(20:45) - Rule of seven for direct reports and effective leadership.(24:06) - Hiring based on systems and assessing candidates beyond interview skills.(33:12) - Applying systems thinking to communication challenges and performance reviews.(55:13) - Chris Hallberg's contact information and resources for veterans.Links and Resources:Chris Hallberg | LinkedInChris Hallberg | EOS Implementer | EOS Worldwidebizsgt.comSponsor Links:InQuasive: http://www.inquasive.com/Humintell: Body Language - Reading People - HumintellEnter Code INQUASIVE25 for 25% discount on your online training purchase.International Association of Interviewers: Home (certifiedinterviewer.com)Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

Outline and Show NotesGuest:Links and promo stuff?Preferred name/title?Relax and laughWill be video recording and may use small or big piecesSmall things won't be editedIf there is a gaff – long pauseIntro-interview-outroQuestions for me?FB hit recordShow Title: When there are “I's” in TEAM with Dr. Chad DumasPower Quote:Teaser:I'm really excited about today's episode. I had so much fun recording it and I think that lightness and positivity come out in the interview. It's a great combination of high-level stuff and some really fundamental truths about teams and leaderships. This might be one of those episodes that you want to listen to twice and take notes. I hope you enjoy listening as much as I did recording it.Sponsor Spot 1:Friends/School leaders, When students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. So, what's your summer math plan this year? Whether you have no summer math program, or are curious about what a research-based program looks like. Check out Summer Pops for free. Get your FREE workbook samples today at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. The link is in the show notes.Show IntroGuest Bio:Dr. Chad Dumas is a Solution Tree PLC at Work, Assessment, and Priority Schools associate and international consultant, presenter, and award-winning researcher. His primary focus is collaborating to develop capacity for continuous improvement. With a quarter century of successful leadership experience, Chad has led significant improvements for both students and staff. He shares his research and knowledge in his three books on PLCs, and his most recent book, the Teacher Team Leader Handbook. Chad's consulting and training includes research, stories, hands-on tools, useful knowledge, and practical skills. He most recently was the executive director of elementary education in the Ames Community School District, a preschool thru grade 12 district of 5,000 students in central Iowa. Before this he was the director of learning for Hastings Public Schools in south-central Nebraska for nine years. Chad is one of the few three-time guests as he appeared back in episodes 202 and 246.Warmup questions:We always like to start with a celebration. What are you celebrating today?Is there a story that will help listeners understand why you are doing what you do?Questions/Topics/PromptsThe driving question will be: I have a 7th grade team who doesn't get along. Each wants to do their own thing. Our 6th grade team collaborates and integrates ELA into multiple subjects and student achievement data is much higher there. Our 7th grade has a daily PLC time, but they do not use it well. Help!Let's begin with common teams dysfunctions:People?Processes?Purpose?Sponsor Spot 2:I want to thank IXL for sponsoring this podcast…Everyone talks about the power of data-driven instruction. But what does that actually look like? Look no further than IXL, the ultimate online learning and teaching platform for K to 12. IXL gives you meaningful insights that drive real progress, and research can prove it. Studies across 45 states show that schools who use IXL outperform other schools on state tests. Educators who use IXL love that they can easily see how their school is performing in real-time to make better instructional decisions. And IXL doesn't stop at just data. IXL also brings an entire ecosystem of resources for your teachers, with a complete curriculum, personalized learning plans, and so much more. It's no wonder that IXL is used in 95 of the top 100 school districts. Ready to join them? Visit ixl.com/assistant to get started.Closing questions:What part of your own leadership are you still trying to get better at?If listeners could take just one thing away from today's podcast, what would it be?Before we go, is there anything else that you'd like to share with our listeners?Where can people learn more about you and your work…- If you love travel, but your student trips are starting to feel a little… copy-and-paste, it might be time to level up.That's why I recommend Kaleidoscope Adventures.They've been planning educational travel for more than 30 years. And the best part? No cookie-cutter itineraries. Every trip is built around your program, your budget, and your goals.Whether you're dreaming of a trip to Universal's EPIC Universe, a history-filled journey to Washington, D.C., or even an international adventure, Kaleidoscope Adventures can help you plan a trip your students will never forget.Get inspired today at mykatrip.com. Kaleidoscope Adventures - Travel Beyond ExpectationsSummary/wrap up“Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.”Four root problems: Why? (purpose)What and how (processes)Lack of trustIllogical resistorsAll => M=v/eCleaning snow off the wrong car - Collaboration has to be meaningfulStep 1: learn;  Step 2: create more alignmentSpecial thanks to the amazing Ranford Almond for the great music on the show. Please support Ranford and the show by checking out his music!Ranford's homepage: https://ranfordalmond.comRanford's music on streaming services: https://streamlink.to/ranfordalmond-oldsoulInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ranfordalmond/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ranfordalmond/Sponsor Links:IXL: http://ixl.com/assistant Kaleidoscope Adventures: https://www.kaleidoscopeadventures.com/the-assistant-principal-podcast-kaleidoscope-adventures/Summer Pops: Summer Pops Workbooks.com CloseLeadership is a journey and thank you for choosing to walk some of this magical path with me.You can find links to all sorts of stuff in the show notes, including my website https://www.frederickbuskey.com/I love hearing from you. If you have comments or questions, or are interested in having me speak at your school or conference, email me at frederick@frederickbuskey.com or connect with me on LinkedIn.If yo...

Revolutionizing Compliance: Modernizing Inspection Workflows with Tim HarrisIn a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sat down with Tim Harris, the Chief Executive Officer of VirtuSpect, to explore how digital transformation is finally reaching the heavily regulated world of physical inspections. Tim shared how VirtuSpect is dismantling the traditional, slow-moving inspection model—particularly in the banking sector—by replacing manual third-party visits with a secure, automated SaaS platform. Their conversation dives into the critical intersection of speed and compliance, revealing how financial institutions and regulated enterprises can close loans faster and reduce operational overhead without compromising on security or regulatory rigor.Accelerating Efficiency: The Shift to Automated, Self-Guided InspectionsThe primary bottleneck in regulated industries has long been the reliance on manual, third-party inspections that can delay business cycles by several days or even weeks. Tim explains that the traditional "wait-and-see" approach, where an external inspector must be scheduled and dispatched, is being replaced by a guided, mobile-first experience that empowers internal staff or even business owners to complete the task themselves. By utilizing a secure mobile app that walks a non-expert through every required photo, video, and data point, VirtuSpect has seen turnaround times plummet from an average of five days to as little as 28 minutes. This radical shift in efficiency allows banks to move from inspection to loan closing in record time, significantly increasing interest income and enhancing the overall customer experience.Cost savings and scalability go hand-in-hand when an organization moves away from per-inspection travel fees and administrative bloat. Because the platform is built to handle thousands of requests per day, it allows enterprises to scale their operations without a linear increase in headcount or external vendor costs. Automated notifications and escalation triggers ensure that remediation steps are handled instantly, preventing human error from stalling a high-stakes audit or loan approval. For organizations conducting hundreds or thousands of inspections annually, this move toward productized, scalable workflows transforms a necessary administrative burden into a streamlined competitive advantage that can be deployed across various verticals.Beyond the immediate gains in speed, the platform is engineered to meet the stringent security and privacy demands of the financial and securities sectors. Every inspection performed through the system creates a comprehensive, encrypted audit trail that is far more robust than the fragmented email chains and physical files of the past. By collaborating with compliance experts to ensure that inspection criteria align with current regulations, VirtuSpect provides an enterprise-grade foundation that protects sensitive data both in transit and at rest. As the platform expands into branch audits, home office inspections, and asset management, it provides a unified source of truth that satisfies regulators while giving leadership real-time visibility into the health of their distributed assets.About Tim HarrisTim Harris is the Chief Executive Officer of VirtuSpect and a veteran leader in the technology space. A disciplined entrepreneur known for his rigorous personal routines—including a decade-long commitment to early-morning swimming—Tim applies a focus on technique and efficiency to help regulated industries modernize their most entrenched manual processes.About VirtuSpectVirtuSpect is a SaaS platform that provides automated inspection and remediation workflows for regulated industries, including banking, securities, and asset management. The company empowers...

About the Guest: Ivan Tornos grew up in Madrid, Spain, facing profound loss—his father, uncle, and brother all passed at 45 from cancer—which fueled his mission to "alleviate pain and extend life" in healthcare. Now CEO of Zimmer Biomet, a century-old medtech giant, he's expanding from orthopedics into robotics, AI, and infection prevention, aiming to become "the boldest medtech company on Earth." Early in his career, Ivan struggled with leadership until embracing purpose alongside execution. "Once you get the purpose right and you're authentic about it, that's not enough—you gotta inspire performance and manage performance," he explains, outlining his 4P algorithm honed over 31 years at companies like J&J and Baxter. Listen to hear how he "fired himself from email," blocks personal KPIs in his calendar (like gym time and calling his 90-year-old mom), and prioritizes patients over short-term shareholders—creating low turnover and high engagement at a $20B+ market cap firm. What You Will Learn: The 4P leadership model (Purpose, Plan, People, Processes) for turning vision into results How to define winning holistically across spiritual, personal, physical, mental, and professional dimensions with personal KPIs Why saying no and ruthless calendar audits (every Sunday) beat busyness every time Balancing hugs and "kicks" as a leader, plus allowing failure for bold innovation Ivan delivers transformative advice for leaders at any level, rooted in Dale Carnegie authenticity. "Purpose equals a sense of urgency when you're dealing with other people's lives," he says. Discover how to lead with intention, build unbreakable teams, and live carpe diem when you listen to this inspiring episode of the Take Command Podcast. Join Joe and Ivan for stories, frameworks, and the discipline to win big. Please rate and review this Episode!We'd love to hear from you! Leaving a review helps us ensure we deliver content that resonates with you. Your feedback can inspire others to join our Take Command: A Dale Carnegie Podcast community & benefit from the leadership insights we share.

In this final episode of the attachment series, Christa sits down with another Enneagram expert, Jeff Cook, Enneagram Type 1, philosopher, former pastor, and co-host of the popular Around the Circle Enneagram podcast, as we talk about attachment and how couples can process conflict. We also talk about his new book Around the Circle: An Enneagram Book (June 2025). Unlike most Enneagram books that profile types individually, Jeff's book explores nine essential questions everyone faces (like "How do I solve my problems?") and answers them for all nine types, creating a richer, more nuanced understanding. Jeff brings a Christian philosophical lens to the Enneagram, reminding us of the fact that relationships are all we bring with us into eternity, so it's important to grow here as an individual, and we try to answer what it means to be our healthiest selves. They discuss the power of naming our motives, why the Enneagram isn't about "putting people in boxes," the Harmonic groups (Positive Outlook: 2, 7, 9 who reframe; Competency: 1, 3, 5 who problem-solve; Reactive: 4, 6, 8 who intensify emotions). Whether you're new to the Enneagram or a seasoned student, this conversation will deepen your understanding and help you see yourself and your spouse more clearly. Watch on YouTube! Important Show Notes from the Allender Center's Marriage Class Marriage class coming up! Get live teaching from The Allender Center 's prolific teachers Dan and Becky Allender across three dates, starting tomorrow (or watch over Zoom) and use the code enneagram30 to get $30 off the course here! Growing in Marriage: A Guided Journey with Dan & Becky Allender. Jeff's Exciting Around the Circle Materials! Get Jeff's book here! https://www.amazon.com/Around-Circle-Enneagram-Jeff-Cook/dp/B0FD46YT16 Listen to the Around the Circle pod here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/around-the-circle-an-enneagram-channel/id1466446583 Visit the entire Around the Circle crew on their website as well! www.AroundtheCircle.org Find more about your type, the pod, freebies, and SO much more at our website right here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EnneagramandMarriage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Love what you're learning on E + M? Make sure you leave us a podcast review so others can find us, too⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get Christa's Best-Selling Book, The Enneagram in Marriage, here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/df8SxVx Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This Week:  Systems & Processes So Your People Thrive Dylan Bassett helps you create your invisible infrastructure, so you can quietly reduce burnout, increase efficiency and make it easier for your nonprofit to grow. He shares the signs that your … Continue reading →

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Krista Stepney shares powerful tactics for moving forward when fear has you feeling stuck.— YOU'LL LEARN — 1) How to identify and address the root causes of inaction2) How to take your power back from comparisons and self-doubt3) Two powerful scripts for when you're stuckSubscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep1130 for clickable versions of the links below. — ABOUT KRISTA — Krista D. Stepney is a leadership and business strategist, keynote speaker, and transformation advisor who helps leaders and everyday changemakers turn hesitation into momentum. With over 15 years of experience in operations, organizational leadership, and culture transformation, Krista blends research, faith, and lived experience to help others build a purposeful life and legacy.As the creator of The BOLDprint Method and the W.A.N.D. Methodology, she has coached executives, entrepreneurs, and everyday dreamers on overcoming fear, resisting comparison, and designing a personalized roadmap forward, even when the next step feels unclear.Her mission is simple: to help people get unstuck and move anyway, especially when it feels like the hardest thing to do.• Book: Move Anyway: A Guide for Overthinkers, Perfectionists, and Almost-Starters• Website: KristaStepney.com— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW — • Study: Perfectionism Research by Vitale & Co.• Study: “Healthy Reflections: The Influence of Mirror Induced Self-Awareness on Taste Perceptions” by Ata Jami• Study: “Implementation Intentions and Goal Achievement: A Meta‐analysis of Effects and Processes” by Peter M. Gollwitzer and Paschal Sheeran• Book: Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen• Book: Professional Troublemaker: The Fear-Fighter Manual by Luvvie Ajayi Jones• Past episode: 015: David Allen, The World's Leading Authority on Productivity• Past episode: 798: How to Have Difficult Conversations about Race with Kwame Christian• Past episode: 1078: How to Stop Playing Small and Achieve Your Greatest Goals with Richard Medcalf— THANK YOU SPONSORS! — • Monarch.com. Get 50% off your first year on with the code AWESOME.• Shopify. Sign up for your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/better• Factor. Head to factormeals.com/beawesome50off and use the code beawesome50off to get 50% off and free breakfast for a year. (New Factor subscribers only)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In today's legal landscape, operating a brick-and-mortar office might not be the best choice for your business, especially as you scale it.  In this episode, Holly Draper and Carrie Tapia will discuss the advantages and challenges of operating a thriving virtual law practice.  They will offer advice on how to start and grow your virtual firm and share their insights gained over years operating in this format.In this episode you will discover:-The advantages and challenges that operating a virtual firm presents-How to maintain office culture when there is no office-The necessity of process development and training to ensure efficient and effective representation.-Practical advice for starting and growing your practice

In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dive deep into what truly keeps an accounting firm running smoothly during tax season—clear processes, intentional workflows, and the right questions asked at the right time. From the realities of client data chaos to the importance of firm-wide standards, Paul breaks down how his multi-team firm handles data intake, “tax-ready” checklists, questionnaires, and internal workflow guardrails.Mo compares this to the challenges solo practitioners face, sparking a conversation about scaling, staff development, knowledge transfer, and why younger team members learn differently today. The duo also discuss evolving technology, AI-powered knowledge bases, and the importance of documenting firm methodologies—one decision tree at a time.Whether you're a firm leader, a growing practitioner, or someone looking to streamline your processes, this episode offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look at building a more efficient, consistent, and scalable practice.

Guest: Daniel Lyman, VP of Threat Detection and Response, Fiserv Topics: What is the right way for people to bridge the gap and translate executive dreams and board goals into the reality of life on the ground? How do we talk to people who think they have "transformed" their SOC simply by buying a better, shinier product (like a modern SIEM) while leaving their old processes intact? What are the specific challenges and advantages you've seen with a federated SOC versus a centralized one? What does a "federated" or "sub-SOC" model actually mean in practice? Why is the message that "EDR doesn't cover everything" so hard for some people to hear? Is this obsession with EDR a business decision or technology debt? How do you expect AI to change the calculus around data centralization versus data federation? What is your favorite example of telemetry that is useful, but usually excluded from a SIEM? What are the Detection and Response organizational metrics that you think are most valuable? Is the continued use of Excel an issue of tooling, laziness, or just because it is a fundamentally good way to interact with a small database? Resources: Video version "In My Time of Dying" book EP258 Why Your Security Strategy Needs an Immune System, Not a Fortress with Royal Hansen EP197 SIEM (Decoupled or Not), and Security Data Lakes: A Google SecOps Perspective The Gravity of Process: Why New Tech Never Fixes Broken Process and Can AI Change It? blog

Episode Summary In a world increasingly driven by data, frameworks, and efficiency, are we losing the human element in public relations? This week, hosts Karen Swim and Michelle Kane tackle the critical need for brands to prioritize people over processes. They explore how the over-reliance on analytics, scripts, and rigid systems can lead to poor customer experiences and stifle professional growth. From the frustrations of automated service lines to the undervaluing of professional instinct and critical thinking, this episode is a passionate call for PR and communications pros to champion a more people-first approach in their strategies. Episode Highlights [01:39] The "Read the Room" Imperative: Why it's essential for PR professionals to craft messaging that respects the audience and current circumstances, ensuring we don't lose sight of the people we serve. [02:24] People as an Afterthought: A discussion on the troubling trend where frameworks, efficiency, and bottom lines overshadow the human connections that public relations is built on. [05:03] The Limits of Data: While data is important, it isn't everything. The hosts use a baseball analogy to illustrate the importance of gut instinct and human experience in decision-making. [07:01] The Decline of Critical Thinking: How rigid frameworks and an obsession with efficiency are hindering the development of critical thinking skills for both seasoned and emerging professionals. [08:49] The Practitioner's Dilemma: Navigating the conflict between people-led PR training and being measured by numbers, quotas, and processes that often ignore the human impact. [10:07] Lived Experience is Valuable: The importance of on-the-ground knowledge and why ignoring local insights in favor of broad data can lead to misguided strategies. [12:16] Critical Thinking Isn't Dead, It's Devalued: A powerful argument that smart people with innovative ideas are often unheard because organizations fail to make room for human intellect and nuance. Related Episodes & Additional Information For more resources and discussions tailored to independent PR professionals, explore the community and articles available at SoloPRPro.com. Host & Show Info That Solo Life is a podcast created for public relations, communication, and marketing professionals who work as independent and small practitioners. Hosted by Karen Swim, APR, founder of Words For Hire and President of Solo PR, and Michelle Kane, Principal of Voice Matters, the show delivers expert insights, encouragement, and advice for solo PR pros navigating today's dynamic professional landscape.   Did this conversation resonate with you? Share this episode with a fellow PR pro who champions a people-first approach. Subscribe to "That Solo Life" on your favorite podcast platform and leave us a review to help others find the show.

Here's a quick recap of what happened in property management last week. Links and resources to each story are included below…00:00:20 — Housing for the 21st Century Act Passes (No Investor Ban Included) - House Republicans and Democrats just passed the Housing for the 21st Century Act. It's largely a “build more housing, faster” package — clearing federal review delays, reducing regulatory bottlenecks, and making it easier to develop missing middle and small multifamily housing. It also includes faster voucher lease-ups and some manufactured housing provisions. https://nypost.com/2026/02/11/real-estate/congress-advances-housing-bill-without-trumps-proposal-to-ban-investors/(One important note: the proposed ban on institutional investors buying single-family homes did not make it into the final bill. That piece was left out. So for now, there's no federal restriction coming on large-scale homebuyers. The supply-side reforms advanced. The investor restrictions didn't. Worth watching how that evolves.) 00:01:20 — HOA Manager Accused of Stealing $1M+An HOA manager has been accused of stealing more than $1 million in 2025, including at least $600,000 from one condo association. Allegations include forged checks and misdirected settlement funds. Wild story. But zoom out for a second — this is almost always a controls issue. One person had too much access and not enough oversight. Basic financial guardrails likely would have prevented this. Dual approval on disbursements, separation of reserve and operating accounts, bank statements going directly to board members. Processes are like plumbing — invisible when they work, a disaster when they don't. https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/hoa-manager-allegedly-scammed-people-out-of-1-million-over-4-years/00:02:08 — AppFolio Releases 2026 Property Management Benchmark Report! AppFolio just released its 2026 Property Management Benchmark Report, and a few things jumped out. https://www.appfolio.com/resources/library/benchmark-reportThe top two challenges operators reported were higher vacancy and rising operating costs. That's not surprising, but it's validating to see it confirmed at scale. In response, 86% of property managers say they're prioritizing resident experience — especially communication and reducing friction around move-ins.Fraud continues to go mainstream. More than half of respondents reported an increase in application fraud last year. That's huge. Screening and verification are becoming table stakes.And then there's AI. Forty-four percent of respondents say they're already using AI tools, and those users expect faster portfolio growth than non-users. Interesting correlation. If you're not experimenting yet, this might be your sign to start small and see what actually moves the needle.That's all the news I have for you this week. Have a good one.

Bridging the Gap: Integrating Marketing and Operations for Scalable Growth with Kasandra MurrayIn this episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Podcast, host Josh Elledge sits down with Kasandra Murray, the Founder and Owner of Unlucky Umbrella Studio, to discuss the critical intersection of lead generation and operational fulfillment. Kasandra shares her expertise on why even the most aggressive marketing campaigns are doomed to fail if a business lacks the back-end systems to support an influx of new interest. This conversation provides a strategic roadmap for entrepreneurs who are tired of "leaky buckets" in their sales funnels and are looking for actionable ways to align their teams, document their brilliance, and leverage technology without losing the human touch.Harmonizing Systems and Processes for Sustainable SuccessThe most common mistake high-growth businesses make is treating marketing and operations as separate silos, where one team focuses on "the hunt" while the other is left to deal with "the catch." Kasandra explains that when these two departments aren't in sync, the result is often a series of missed opportunities—calls go unanswered, follow-ups are delayed, and the customer experience becomes inconsistent. To solve this, leadership must view the customer journey as a single, continuous thread. By mapping every touchpoint from the first ad click to the final delivery, businesses can identify operational friction points and ensure that every dollar spent on marketing actually has a clear path to conversion and long-term retention.Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) serve as the backbone of this alignment, yet they are frequently neglected because they feel unglamorous or time-consuming to create. Kasandra advocates for a "progress over perfection" mindset, encouraging business owners to document their workflows in real-time rather than waiting for a quiet moment that never comes. Effective SOPs do more than just reduce errors; they empower the team to perform consistently and allow for rapid scaling when the marketing engine begins to hum. When knowledge is captured and processes are systematized, the business becomes less dependent on any single individual, creating a more resilient and valuable asset.As businesses look to automate these processes, the role of Artificial Intelligence has become increasingly prominent, though it requires careful management to avoid costly errors. Kasandra points out that while AI can handle repetitive tasks like initial sorting or data entry, it is not a total replacement for human empathy and problem-solving. A successful integration strategy uses AI to augment the team's capabilities, freeing up human staff for high-value, high-touch interactions. By piloting automated solutions internally before deploying them to customers, leaders can ensure that their technology enhances the brand experience rather than creating new barriers to connection.About Kasandra Murray: Kasandra Murray is the Founder and Owner of Unlucky Umbrella Studio, where she specializes in helping businesses optimize their operations and marketing alignment. With a background in streamlining complex workflows, Kasandra is known for her ability to spot operational bottlenecks that prevent companies from reaching their full revenue potential.About Unlucky Umbrella Studio: Unlucky Umbrella Studio is a boutique consultancy that focuses on business optimization through the integration of marketing strategy and operational efficiency. The firm helps clients build robust SOPs, manage lead-flow systems, and implement technology solutions that drive sustainable, scalable growth.Links Mentioned in This Episode:

Follow optYOUmize Podcast with Brett Ingram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Summary Brett Ingram speaks with Rebecca Vickers, VP of Operations at FMO Media, about her journey from theater to digital marketing, the importance of building strong relationships and high-performance teams, navigating multicultural communication challenges, and the critical role of systems and processes in business. They emphasize the need for continuous learning and adaptability in today's fast-paced environment. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the optYOUmize Podcast 01:01 Rebecca's Journey: From Theater to Digital Marketing 07:31 Building Strong Relationships and High-Performance Teams 18:24 Navigating Multicultural Teams and Communication Challenges 29:35 The Importance of Systems and Processes in Business 43:06 Continuous Learning and Growth as a Business Owner #digitalmarketing #personalgrowth #personaldevelopment #entrepreneurship #optyoumize #brettingram #entrepreneurpodcast #podmatch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Truth Be Told with Booker Scott – Trust in institutions erodes when lived reality clashes with official claims. Elections, hospitals, and courts demand transparency, not excuses. Missing records, unaccountable officials, and broken safeguards fuel public distrust. Accountability restores confidence. Citizens must demand audits, preserved records, and equal justice, because truth and governance begin at home, with active civic responsibility...

As a violinist, Darian Donovan Thomas has played with alternative soul singer Moses Sumney, the chamber ensemble Mediaqueer, and the Pakistani-American singer Arooj Aftab, among many others. But Thomas is also a singer, songwriter and producer whose own music reflects his omnivorous musical experience. Hyper-pop, ambient electronica and contemporary classical music are all fair game in his latest record, which is called A Room With Many Doors – Day. Darian Donovan Thomas and Phong Tran play some of these songs, live in-studio. Set list: 1. Mr & Mr Married/Safe Space 2. Snow Storm 3. Purple Flower

Send a textMost organizations have documented processes. SOPs exist, ownership is defined, and work keeps moving. Yet ask different teams how work actually flows — and you'll hear very different answers.In this episode of Lean by Design, Oscar Gonzalez and Lawrence Wong explore why operational friction persists even in organizations with mature processes. They examine how workarounds become normalized, why improvements often fail to stick, and how effort can mask deeper workflow misalignment.The conversation reframes a common misdiagnosis: the issue isn't that people don't follow the process — it's that the process doesn't reflect how work actually happens. As organizations grow, this gap creates variability, hidden risk, and confusion around ownership, even while productivity appears high.Rather than offering best practices or quick fixes, the episode focuses on recognizing where workflows lose shared understanding and why diagnosing that gap requires more than documentation. It's a debrief-style discussion for leaders and operators who sense that work gets done — but doesn't truly flow. Order Predictably Broken Now! https://books2read.com/predictablybroken Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ Check out video episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@LeanByDesignPodcastWant our thoughts on a specific topic? Looking to sponsor this podcast to continue to generate content? Or maybe you have an idea and want to be on our show. Fill out our Interest Form and share your thoughts.

*Content Warning: institutional betrayal, sexual violence, stalking, on-campus violence, intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, stalking, rape, and sexual assault.Free + Confidential Resources + Safety Tips: somethingwaswrong.com/resources   Follow Dr. Kathryn Holland: Website: https://psychology.unl.edu/person/kathryn-holland/ Dr. Kathryn Holland on Google Scholars: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=OgJhWwoAAAAJ&hl=en SWW Sticker Shop!: https://brokencyclemedia.com/sticker-shop SWW S25 Theme Song & Artwork: The S25 cover art is by the Amazing Sara Stewart instagram.com/okaynotgreat/ The S25 theme song is a cover of Glad Rag's U Think U from their album Wonder Under, performed by the incredible Abayomi instagram.com/Abayomithesinger. The S25 theme song cover was produced by Janice “JP” Pacheco instagram.com/jtooswavy/ at The Grill Studios in Emeryville, CA instagram.com/thegrillstudios/ Follow Something Was Wrong: Website: somethingwaswrong.com  IG: instagram.com/somethingwaswrongpodcast TikTok: tiktok.com/@somethingwaswrongpodcast  Follow Tiffany Reese: Website: tiffanyreese.me  IG: instagram.com/lookieboo Resources: End Rape on Campus: https://endrapeoncampus.org/ It's On Us: https://itsonus.org/ Know Your IX: https://www.advocatesforyouth.org/campaigns/know-your-ix/ Sources: Dear Colleague Letter, May 26, 2011 (PDF), www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201105-ese.pdf “Welcome.” Sexual Assault and Sexual Health Lab | Nebraska, sashlab.unl.edu/ Holland, K. J., & Cortina, L. M. (2017). The evolving landscape of sexual harassment: Research, policy, and practice. American Psychologist, 72(7), 612–625. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000103 Holland, K. J., & Cortina, L. M. (2013). When sex-based harassment becomes sexual harassment: College students' experiences. Journal of Applied Psychology, 98(2), 313–328. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032040 Holland, K. J., & Cortina, L. M. (2016). Sexual harassment: Undermining the well-being of working women. Journal of Social Issues, 72(4), 825–842. https://doi.org/10.1111/josi.12190 Holland, K. J., Rabelo, V. C., & Cortina, L. M. (2014). Sex-based harassment and discrimination: Evidence of psychological harm. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 38(3), 368–382. https://doi.org/10.1177/0361684314521575 Holland, K. J. (2019). Culture, power, and gender-based violence in institutions. In C. B. Travis & J. W. White (Eds.), APA Handbook of the Psychology of Women (Vol. 2, pp. 253–271). American Psychological Association. https://doi.org/10.1037/0000059-014

New podcast series within Tacos and Tech: AI Builders Roundtable!Neal sits down with Craig Lauer and Ross Young on a day both Anthropic and OpenAI dropped major releases to talk about what it actually looks like to build with AI right now. Ross walks through how his team at Clinically AI built an internal AI operating system using Claude Co-work - from voice-interviewing department heads to capture tribal knowledge, to running full pipeline reviews from HubSpot in natural language. Craig shares how LaunchMate, the AI co-pilot he's building for student founders at SDSU's Zip Launchpad, uses persistent memory and multi-agent communication to keep founders moving. The conversation moves from tools to workflows to a surprisingly honest riff on identity - and what it means when intelligence is no longer your competitive advantage.Key Topics Covered:* The Anthropic 4-6 / OpenAI Codex same-day release and what it signals* LaunchMate: AI agents with persistent memory for founders, mentors, and cohort management at SDSU Zip Launchpad* “Tidbits” — auto-generated founder progress updates (”share without sharing”)* Ross's AI operating system at Clinically AI: markdown knowledge bases, Claude Co-work projects, HubSpot integration, voice-mode interviews for tribal knowledge capture* The AI capability spectrum: chatbots → cloud agents with tool access → local agents with full computer access* OpenClaw vs. Co-work: excitement vs. enterprise readiness and security* Craig's LettaBot/WhatsApp cautionary tale* Natural language as the new programming language - and why social workers may outperform engineers at agent programming* Processes they'll never go back to: manual contract redlines, email triage* Identity in the age of AI - detaching professional worth from intelligenceLinks & Resources:* Clinically AI* SDSU Zip Launchpad* Claude Co-work by Anthropic* LaunchMate (in development)Connect on LinkedIn:* Craig Lauer* Ross Young* Neal Bloom This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit risingtidepartners.substack.com/subscribe

Sometimes, a pause is all that is needed to get an organization moving faster. This may sound counterintuitive, but, as Dr. Casey Blochowiak explains, pausing to reflect on what may be bogging down systems and processes allows organizations to refine their work, improve processes, and operate more efficiently.Listen as Dr. Janet Pilcher talks with Dr. Blochowiak, Vice President of Coaching at Studer Education, about how improving processes can save resources that can then be invested in students and their learning. The partner stories Dr. Blochowiak shares demonstrate how organizations are effectively using the power of the pause to strengthen processes and reinvest in student success.Recommended Resource:  Go Slow to Go FastFollow Host Dr. Janet Pilcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetpilcher/

Ciprian Stan, M&A Integration Manager at SALESIANER Gruppe Most M&A deals fail because integration was "something to figure out later". By the time execution realities, cultural risks, and people impacts surface, the deal is locked, and teams must work around untested assumptions. In this episode of the M&A Science podcast, Ciprian Stan, M&A Integration Manager at SALESIANER Gruppe, explains that integration must be a strategic input to increase chances of success.  Things You'll Learn The importance of involving Integration early in the process Pre LOI preparations and expectations Cultural Diligence and what to look for How to communicate the deal the right way _____________________ Buyer-Led M&A™: The Framework is Now Available Traditional M&A is broken. Buyers chase auctions. Sellers control the process. It's reactive, inefficient, and exhausting. After 300+ episodes of M&A Science, I've taken insights from the world's top corp dev leaders and distilled them into a practical framework for taking control of your M&A pipeline—how to source deals directly, build relationships earlier, and stop being auction-chasers. If you'd like to build a proactive M&A program that founders actually want to engage with, you can grab your copy. https://dealroom.net/resources/ebooks/buyer-led-m-a-tm-the-framework ____________________ Episode Chapters  [00:08:00] – Processes vs. Technology: Discussion on managing the computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) and standardized processes during early deals. [00:10:00] – Leveraging an Engineering Background: How a computer science background helps M&A leaders speak the language of IT teams while avoiding micromanagement. [00:13:00] – Proactive vs. Reactive Buying: Defining proactive buying as understanding the "why" and identifying specific gaps (geography, technology, etc.) before acquiring. [00:15:00] – Growth Strategies: Practical examples of buying for revenue growth versus strategic, deliberate footprint expansion. [00:20:25] Integration Should Shape the Deal Early – Integration leaders surface execution risks that strategy teams often overlook. [00:29:00] – Pre-LOI Must-Haves: Essential considerations including an integration thesis, timeline estimates, and financial constructs like earnouts. [00:35:00] – Identifying "Secret Sauce": The necessity of protecting what makes a target company successful during and after the transaction. [00:36:00] – Founder Dynamics: The pros and cons of keeping a founder on after the sale and how their intentions impact the company culture. [00:38:00] – Red Flags and Honest Negotiations: Warning against "pink glasses" during deals and the high cost of lying or tricking a seller during negotiations. [00:48:00] – Dealing with Write-Offs: A cautionary tale of a full investment write-off caused by ignored red flags and excluding integration experts from the deal table. [00:52:00] – Client and Supplier Risks: Why buyers must speak to a target's major clients to ensure the acquisition doesn't create a "single point of failure" risk. ____________________ Questions, comments, concerns? Follow Kison Patel for behind-the-scenes insights on modern M&A.

Astronomer Paul Kalas explains planetary formation in the Fomalhaut system twenty-five light years distant, revealing how observations of this nearby star illuminate the processes that create worlds around young suns.SATURN AND SYSTEM