Podcasts about stakeholders

It can feel tempting to avoid questioning a thought leader's vision when you're the professional executing on their value offering. But that fear of confrontation can lead to bigger problems if you don't discover what the thought leader actually needs from the get-go. Enter Bill Shander, information designer and author of "Stakeholder Whispering," a new book on how to work with stakeholders to uncover and deliver the products and services they actually need, not think they need. On this episode of Everything Thought Leadership, Bill talks about the main ideas within the book: using the Socratic method to ask important questions and helping stakeholders truly understand the problems they're facing. Everything Thought Leadership is a video and podcast series from Buday TLP for thought leaders and thought leadership professionals; the people who help experts get recognized as thought leaders. Episodes release monthly, preceded by trailers and followed with short snippets of wisdom from the interviews. Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Send us a textIn this episode, we talk to Kirsten Kaiser Kus. She is a defense attorney and an equity owner at Downey & Lenkov LLC, leading their Indiana practice. She brings deep experience from both the plaintiff and defense sides of workers' compensation. She shares how her involvement with CLM and litigation education shaped her expertise and helped grow her professional network.We explore the many stakeholders in the workers' compensation system. Kirsten discusses distinctions between plaintiff-side and defense-side stakeholders and how they interact—or clash—within systems that vary state by state.On the plaintiff (applicant) side, she highlights challenges such as unrealistic expectations, lack of understanding of legal metrics, and client control issues. Then she systematically breaks down the far more complex defense side, detailing the roles of carriers, TPAs, hearing members, medical providers, mediators, ombudsmen, vendors, brokers, excess carriers, self-insured clients, and even how politics play out in our system.Throughout our conversation, Kirsten emphasizes one central principle: communication is critical. Where, oh where have we heard that before? Whether navigating expectations, coordinating stakeholders, or managing the risk of expensive cases, clear, proactive, and coordinated communication is what drives effective outcomes.Stakeholders in the Workers' Comp Ecosystem:Injured Worker The employee who was hurt at work and seeking benefits.Applicant's Attorney / Claimant's Attorney / Plaintiff's Attorney / Petitioner's Counsel The lawyer representing the injured worker (term varies by state).Defense Attorney The attorney representing the employer or insurance carrier.Employer The company where the injured worker is employed; also referred to as "the insured."Insurance Carrier The insurance company providing workers' comp coverage to the employer.Third-Party Administrator (TPA) An outside company that manages the administration of claims on behalf of self-insured employers or insurance carriers.Broker An insurance advisor who helps employers obtain and manage coverage.Self-Insured Employer A company that pays claims out-of-pocket, often with excess insurance coverage.Excess Carrier The insurer that covers costs beyond a self-insured employer's retention layer.Hearing Member / Judge / Commissioner The official who hears and rules on workers' compensation disputes.Ombudsman A state-provided guide who assists unrepresented workers.Mediator A neutral party who helps both parties involved in a litigated case try to settle the case before trial.Medical Provider Doctors and other clinicians who treat the injured worker.Nurse Case Manager (NCM) A licensed nurse who helps coordinate medical care and communicate with all stakeholders. NCMs are often called in to help coordinate more complex claims. Vendors Service providers such as interpreters, transportation, Medicare compliance experts, durable medical equipment (DME) suppliers, and home modification specialists.Subrogation Counsel / Third-Party Recovery Attorneys or departments pursuing reimbursement when a third party (not the employer) caused the injury.Family Members Often involved in influencing the injured worker's decisions and expectations, an important perspective to keep in mind througho¡Muchas Gracias! Thank you for listening. We would appreciate you sharing our podcast with your friends on social media. Find Yvonne and Rafael on Linked In or follow us on Twitter @deconstructcomp

Intelligence Note: Stakeholder Capitalism: The Fourth Industrial Revolution (NWO)To support the [Show] and its [Research] with Donations, please send all funds and gifts to :$aigner2019 (cashapp) or https://www.paypal.me/Aigner2019 or Zelle (1-617-821-3168). Shalom Aleikhem!

In this episode of the KuppingerCole Analyst Chat, host Matthias Reinwarth welcomes Martin Kuppinger, Founder and Principal Analyst at KuppingerCole, to discuss the evolution of the Identity Fabric. Originally introduced as a visual tool in 2017–2018, the Identity Fabric has matured into a foundational framework for modern identity and access management. The conversation covers the motivations behind its creation, its flexibility in addressing various identity types, and its role in simplifying complex IAM architectures. Martin also explains the rationale for a leaner version of the model, aimed at executive stakeholders, and offers a glimpse into the forward-looking Identity Fabric for the 2040s. In this episode, you’ll learn:✅Where the Identity Fabric concept began✅Why a leaner version is needed — and who it’s for✅How to pitch Identity Fabric to C-level decision makers✅What the 2040s might look like for IAM✅How organizations and vendors alike are using this model today Whether you're deep in IAM or just starting to align your strategy, this episode breaks down how to communicate complex identity concepts more clearly.

Are you interested in stakeholder opinions for smart cities? Summary of the article titled What do people want in a smart city? Exploring the stakeholders' opinions, priorities, and perceived barriers in a medium-sized city in the United States from 2021, by Cristina Del-Real, Chandra Ward, and Mina Sartipi, published in the International Journal of Urban Sciences.This is a great preparation to our next interview with Mina Sartipi in episode 346 talking about smart cities as urban evolution and proactive urban management. Since we are investigating the future of cities, I thought it would be interesting to see how stakeholders see the smart city concept. This article reveals that improving quality of life and environmental sustainability rather than technological solutions are required of smart cities, with transparency and social inclusion.Find the article through this link.Abstract: Many cities in the United States are pursuing agendas to implement ICT-based solutions to tackle urban challenges, thus achieving the ‘smart city' label. While the discussion on this urban development paradigm has revolved around the intensive use of technologies, the academic literature increasingly calls for shifting the focus to the people living in the cities. This paper argues that to achieve a people-centred smart city, cities should include the perspectives of all the local stakeholders. Under this assumption, this paper provides the views of the local stakeholders in a medium-sized city in Tennessee, Chattanooga. Particularly, this study explores their perceived smart city concept, the ethical standards that should guide smart city projects, the desired future projects in their community, and the barriers to implementing them. The data was collected using a combination of participatory budgeting, five focus groups, and twenty-eight interviews with city dwellers, entrepreneurs, university faculty, non-profit members, and government officials. The results suggest that, far from the image of a highly technological city, the stakeholders envision a city dedicated to improving the quality of life and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, to achieve this smart city, the projects need to be based on full transparency and the promotion of social inclusion. In contrast to the dominant trend towards the privatization of urban space, this study finds that the stakeholders prefer public based smart city projects such as ICTbased public transport services. However, its successful implementation will have to overcome the barriers caused by funding constraints, public acceptance, and political interests. Cities may use the results of this study to design more responsible smart city projects that strike an optimal point between citizen engagement and technological applications and innovations while supporting all stakeholders' needs.Connecting episodes you might be interested in:No.287R - Essay: On the smart city; Or a ‘manifesto' for smart citizens insteadNo.288 - Interview with Dan Hill about smart citiesYou can find the transcript through ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠th⁠i⁠s link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.What was the most interesting part for you? What questions did arise for you? Let me know on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@WTF4Cities⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠wtf4cities.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ website where the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠showno⁠t⁠es⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠are also available.I hope this was an interesting episode for you and thanks for tuning in.Episode generated with ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ assistance (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠affiliate link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠).Music by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lesfm ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠from ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠

In this episode of the KuppingerCole Analyst Chat, host Matthias Reinwarth welcomes Martin Kuppinger, Founder and Principal Analyst at KuppingerCole, to discuss the evolution of the Identity Fabric. Originally introduced as a visual tool in 2017–2018, the Identity Fabric has matured into a foundational framework for modern identity and access management. The conversation covers the motivations behind its creation, its flexibility in addressing various identity types, and its role in simplifying complex IAM architectures. Martin also explains the rationale for a leaner version of the model, aimed at executive stakeholders, and offers a glimpse into the forward-looking Identity Fabric for the 2040s. In this episode, you’ll learn:✅Where the Identity Fabric concept began✅Why a leaner version is needed — and who it’s for✅How to pitch Identity Fabric to C-level decision makers✅What the 2040s might look like for IAM✅How organizations and vendors alike are using this model today Whether you're deep in IAM or just starting to align your strategy, this episode breaks down how to communicate complex identity concepts more clearly.

Praise will act as a catalyst for even higher levels of success when three praise aspects are present. Stakeholders know if a leader is paying attention to what they're doing and sincere praise creates a positive feedback loop in which what gets noticed and rewarded gets magnified. The three aspects are:sinceritytimeliness andspecificityLet's explore in more depth...More infoForbes: recognition - the key to 2025 employee engagement?https://www.forbes.com/sites/karadennison/2024/09/13/why-recognition-could-be-the-key-to-employee-engagement-in-2025/

EP145 — The Scrum Guide Expansion Pack¿Hay algo nuevo bajo el sol? ¿Es más de lo mismo? ¿Es en realidad una “expansión” en los confines del universo?. En este episodio de Hormigas Agilistas Podcast discutimos sobre el “Scrum Guide Expansion Pack”, analizando en detalle este documento de aproximadamente 50 páginas que expande el marco de trabajo Scrum.¿Qué te puedes llevar de este episodio?:El propósito y motivación detrás de esta expansión de Scrum (¿necesidad de los equipos? ¿cambios en la decisiones de negocio del “producto Scrum”? ¿necesidad de reimpulsar certificaciones?)Teorías complementarias como sistemas complejos, empirismo y mentalidad de producto.Nuevas definiciones de roles incluyendo Stakeholders y Supporters.El papel de la inteligencia artificial como posible “socio poderoso pero supervisado” (vs “una herramienta”) en equipos Scrum.La separación entre “output” (incremento) y “outcome” (valor)Refinamiento como actividad importante aunque no sea evento oficial.Profesionalismo y excelencia técnica en el desarrollo.Liderazgo en todos los niveles (¿Conocen esto de otro lado?)En el artículo de este episodio (lo que ahora estás leyendo) incluimos la traducción de una de las páginas de esta nueva guía, la cual resume esta nueva mirada.En este episodio participan las hormigas Antonio Gallardo Burgos, Arturo Robles Maloof, Rodrigo Burgos NocetiSi deseas conocer más sobre este episodio y todos los demás, visita el sitio: HormigasAgilistas.CL o en https://medium.com/hormigas-agilistas/¡Gracias por ser parte del Universo de Hormigas Agilistas!IMPORTANTE: Siempre es bueno recordar que en Hormigas Agilistas Podcasts no somos buscadores de la verdad, el objetivo acá no es indicar los que se debe hacer; más bien, abrimos el micrófono para que las personas puedan contar sus experiencias, sus ‘heridas de guerra', y así los oyentes puedan tomar lo que más le haga sentido en sus organizaciones y avanzar en la mejora continua.#Scrum #ExpansionPack #ScrumExpansionPack #TheExpanse #HormigasAgilistas #IA

Far too many software projects crash not because of poor coding, but because of poor planning. In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche explore why requirements matter more than ever. They dive deep into the foundational role that clearly defined, testable, and outcome-focused requirements play in delivering successful software projects. With insights drawn from hands-on experience and AI-generated discussion points, the episode uncovers how misaligned expectations and incomplete planning can derail even the most promising initiatives. Whether you're a developer, product manager, or founder, this conversation reminds us that getting it right starts well before a line of code is written. Why Requirements Matter in Software Development Rob and Michael begin by revisiting a powerful truth: software requirements are the blueprint for everything that follows. Vague requests and incomplete specifications are the root cause of missed deadlines, blown budgets, and frustrated clients. Callout CEO: 70% of software project failures are tied to poor requirements, not bad developers. When everyone understands what's being built—and more importantly, why—teams align better, and projects succeed more often. Requirements Matter More Than Perfect Code Even flawless code can't rescue a project built on the wrong foundation. Rob highlights three common causes of failure: Misunderstood business goals Disconnects between stakeholders and developers Expanding scope from unclear requirements If the team can't agree on what success looks like, no amount of elegant code will save the effort. For more on aligning teams and expectations, check out our episode on Bridging Methodologies. Requirements Matter: Start with the Why Michael emphasizes starting with the business objective. Before diving into specs or wireframes, ask: Why does this solution need to exist? What problem is it solving? Many clients envision modern systems based on outdated workflows. Developers must educate while extracting needs—balancing modernization with functionality that still matters. Requirements Matter When Writing User Stories Rob and Michael advocate for user stories—clear, testable statements of what the system must do. A well-written story includes: A specific actor (e.g., user, admin) A goal (e.g., schedule an appointment) An expected result (e.g., receive confirmation) Michael puts it plainly: If a developer doesn't know when a requirement is “done,” it's not a requirement—it's a guess. Learn more about effective story writing with this Agile user story guide. Requirements Matter in Managing Scope and Budget Requirements aren't just lists—they're guardrails. Michael warns that unchecked feature creep can quietly drain resources and sink projects. A disciplined list of must-haves versus nice-to-haves keeps everything on track. Start with the core. A “calendar app” doesn't need AI-scheduling in version one. Build the basics first, validate them, and then iterate with purpose. Requirements Matter in Prototypes and Demos Rob is a strong advocate for visual requirements. Tools like Figma, PowerPoint, and internal “kitchen sink” demos help bring vague ideas into sharp focus. Stakeholders often struggle to articulate what they want—until they see it. Clickable mockups bridge the communication gap and reduce costly rework. As Rob puts it, “the more real it feels, the better the feedback you'll get.” Balancing Detail: When Requirements Matter and When They Don't Finding the balance between too little and too much detail is key. Rob favors lightweight specs for creative flexibility, while Michael leans on testable, bulletproof requirements. Their advice? Define what the system must do, but avoid locking in how it must be done—especially too early. The goal is clarity of intent, not rigidity in implementation. Make Requirements Matter on Your Team Before wrapping up, Rob and Michael pose a practical challenge to all teams: Can every requirement in your backlog be tested and tied to a business goal? If not, it may be time to revise or remove it. Unclear requirements aren't just annoying—they're expensive. By committing to clarity, your team reduces ambiguity, limits rework, and speeds up delivery. Every stakeholder benefits when expectations are grounded in reality. Final Thoughts From stakeholder interviews to wireframes and test-driven development, requirements matter at every stage of the software development lifecycle. Each assumption should be questioned. Each “nice to have” should be weighed carefully. Every essential feature must be validated. So the next time you're tempted to “just start coding,” take a step back and ask: Do we really understand what we're building—and why? Because when requirements matter, your software delivers. Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, there's always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let's continue exploring the exciting world of software development. Additional Resources Software Development Requirements: Staying True to Specifications The Importance of Properly Defining Requirements Changing Requirements – Welcome Them For Competitive Advantage Creating Use Cases and Gathering Requirements The Developer Journey Videos – With Bonus Content Building Better Developers With AI Podcast Videos – With Bonus Content

What are public utility commissions (PUCs)? In the transition to clean energy, state public utility commissions (PUCs), which regulate electric, gas, telecommunications, water and wastewater utilities, play an increasingly important role in achieving energy efficiency, enabling renewable energy, and implementing policies for greenhouse gas emissions reduction. PUCs  play a pivotal role in determining the energy mix, setting rates, and deciding on investments in infrastructure, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), for example, has to balance  safety, reliable utility service, and reasonable rates through the regulation of various large investor-owned electric, natural gas, and water utilities. Utility commissions like CPUC are given a statutory mandate to ensure reasonable, adequate and efficient service to customers at just and reasonable prices. PUCs can issue regulations that impact electricity generation, the adoption of clean energy, and related emissions of pollutants and GHGs. PUCs can play an important role in shaping energy infrastructure, policy, and clean energy development.The Role PUCs play in shaping energy infrastructurePUCs were first created in the early 20th century to focus on overseeing operations and the utility investment in service while ensuring affordable rates. That role has evolved, and now PUCs often play a transformative role in transitioning towards a greener economy. PUCs have the ability to consider the impacts of GHG emissions, equity, grid reliability, distributed energy resources, and increased consumer choices in their policy decisions. PUCs oversee planning processes that affect a utility's resource portfolio and therefore its environmental profile. A new method of planning amongst PUCs has emerged known as Integrated Resource Planning (IRP), which compares the life cycle costs of different resource choices that factor energy efficiency into their analysis. Portfolio standards have also been added to IRP, which requires certain types of resources to be included in the utilities' mix of power procured, including renewable energy and energy efficiency. PUCs can also incorporate environmental considerations by increasing oversight of utility planning processes, setting prices, determining clean energy targets, and addressing utility incentives related to energy efficiency and distribution. PUCs thus have the ability to promote and shape clean energy adoption and development through their regulatory oversight. The Case for PUCsState PUCs have significant authority, often includingI the ability to accelerate decarbonization of the energy sector, mitigate the impacts of climate change, improve public health, and assist in reaching state energy goals. Updated PUC statutory mandates that reflect state energy priorities can contribute to their success in transforming the energy grid to become more energy efficient. Energy efficiency is a cost-effective mechanism to meet future demand for electricity. Energy efficiency reduces the amount of electricity needed to meet demand thereby benefiting the overall reliability of the electric grid. With more efficient systems, utilities and states will not need to build as much new transmission and generation, which can save money and improve environmental quality. Further, modern regulations to achieve such priorities and framing for the public interest can incorporate climate and environmental justice concerns. The Case Against PUCsOrganizational challenges such as outdated mandates, staff constraints, gaps in technical knowledge, misinformation, and quasi-judicial processes have created barriers to innovation amongst PUCs. Some PUCs still continue to view themselves as purely economic regulators, which does not accurately reflect the current decisions they are being asked to make. Additionally, the authority of PUCs varies widely from state to state. PUCs authority is established by state legislatures, thus their power only extends as far as their statutory authorization. The level of statutory authority delegated to PUCs by legislatures also varies widely. Barriers such as these have made it difficult for some  PUCs to develop more innovative mechanisms consistent with new environmental targets and the effort to achieve a zero-carbon US grid.While transitioning to clean energy promises long-term savings and environmental benefits, the short-term costs can be significant and potentially burdensome for consumers and businesses, posing political and fiscal challenges for PUCs. Stakeholder engagement in this transition will be vital. Labor issues also pose challenges as states transition away from  fossil fuels. In addition, challenges exist around regulatory complexities and the evolving federal and state policies. About Our GuestJill Tauber is the Vice President of Litigation for Climate and Energy at EarthJustice. Jill leads the organization in achieving an equitable shift to clean energy through her litigation and legal advocacy work. Prior to serving as VP of Litigation, Jill worked as the Managing Attorney of Earthjustice's Clean Energy Program, focusing on achieving clean energy solutions across the country.ResourcesRMI: Purpose: Aligning PUC Mandates with a Clean Energy FutureRMI: The Untapped Potential of Public Utility CommissionsEPA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency State Climate and Energy Technical Forum Background DocumentFurther ReadingColumbia Law: Public Utility Commissions and Energy EfficiencyFor a transcript, please visit https://climatebreak.org/public-utilities-commissions-with-earthjustices-jill-tauber/

Send us your thoughtsIn this episode of CFO 4.0, host Hannah Munro speaks with Andy Mellor, Fractional CFO at Summit 17 Ltd, about navigating M&A, preparing for financial events, and leading finance teams through high-growth environments.Key topics covered:Andy's career journey and transition into fractional CFO workStructuring finance teams to support rapid, acquisition-led growthManaging M&A deals end-to-end, including due diligence and integrationCommunicating effectively with sellers, stakeholders, banks, and PE firmsBuilding robust financial models and scenarios for funding strategiesPreparing businesses to be “event ready” with data, tools, and disciplineLinks mentionedAndy's LinkedinLearn more about Summit 17 Ltd Explore other CFO 4.0 Podcast episodes here. Subscribe to our Podcast!

Bill Shander is a data communication expert, renowned information designer, and founder of Beehive Media. With over 25 years of experience working with top-tier organizations like the United Nations, World Bank, and Deloitte, Bill helps professionals transform complex data into clear, compelling narratives. In this episode, he unpacks his latest book, *Stakeholder Whispering: Uncover What People Need Before Doing What They Ask*, sharing powerful insights on how to lead with questions, not just actions. If you want to elevate your communication skills, build trust faster, and stop being just an “order taker,” this conversation is a must-listen. 00:00 Introduction 01:38 What is a Data Communications Expert? 02:36 What Inspired Stakeholder Whispering 05:02 Doing What's Asked Versus What's Needed 08:20 Listen with your Ears, Not Your Brain 09:25 Silence is Golden 11:35 Common Mistakes in Stakeholder Whispering 15:08 Receptive vs Unreceptive Stakeholders 16:16 Is This a Leadership Book? 17:42 Remote and Hybrid Work 19:33 Real World Success Stories

A strong project kickoff strategy can make or break your software project. In this episode of Building Better Developers with AI, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche revisit and expand upon their earlier episode, Mastering the Project Kickoff – Setting the Stage for Success. This time, they use AI not to redefine strategy, but to reflect on what worked, what's changed, and what new insights can improve how teams approach kickoffs today. The result is a deeper, more refined look at launching software projects with intention and clarity—before writing a single line of code. Why Your Project Kickoff Strategy Still Matters “Two weeks in, and no one agrees on the goal.” It's a story most developers know too well. The reason? A weak or nonexistent project kickoff strategy. Rob and Michael break down how early misalignment on goals, responsibilities, or MVPs can derail projects quickly. To avoid this, teams need a consistent, structured approach that starts before the first line of code is written. How AI Improves Your Project Kickoff Strategy AI can't replace a good team conversation, but it can support a better project kickoff strategy by helping structure discussions, define deliverables, and highlight gaps in planning. Some examples AI tools can generate: Stakeholder role outlines Risk assessment prompts Project objective statements Kickoff meeting checklists With good prompting, AI becomes a partner in better planning. Core Elements of a Strong Project Kickoff Strategy A repeatable project kickoff strategy should include the following: 1. Purpose and Objectives What are we building, and why? Define the business problem and expected outcome clearly. 2. Team Roles and Ownership List all stakeholders, assign responsibilities, and clarify decision-makers. Misunderstood roles create avoidable blockers. 3. Process and Delivery Plan Establish your delivery method (Agile, Scrum, Kanban) and how progress will be tracked, tested, and shared. 4. MVP and Scope Control Rob and Michael emphasize: everything must map to the MVP. If it doesn't, reconsider the feature. 5. Documentation and Visibility Centralize everything. Use Notion, Confluence, or shared drives, and record meetings for searchability and auditability. Warning Signs of a Poor Kickoff Strategy Michael and Rob call out red flags that reveal when your project kickoff strategy is weak or broken: No written MVP or goals Absent stakeholders during planning Overlapping roles with unclear boundaries “We'll figure it out later” mindset No documentation or decision logs Ignoring these signs leads to confusion, rework, and a breakdown in team trust. Anchor Your Kickoff Strategy with an MVP “If your feature doesn't pass a test, it's not part of your MVP.” Michael shares a practical tip: create user stories first, then turn them into pass/fail tests. This ensures that your project kickoff strategy stays laser-focused on outcomes—not distractions like UI polish or edge-case bells and whistles. Challenge: Audit Your Project Kickoff Strategy Before your next launch, hold a quick strategy review. Ask: Do we have a clearly defined MVP? Are team roles written and confirmed? Are meeting notes and decisions documented? Does every feature connect to project goals? If not, revise your strategy now—before you waste time. Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting, there's always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let's continue exploring the exciting world of software development. Additional Resources Working The Project – Consulting Success CYA Documentation: Getting Started With Consulting Winning Your First Project: A Developer's Guide to Starting Your Side Hustle A Project Management and Pricing Guide for Success Building Better Developers With AI Podcast Videos – With Bonus Content

Legislation introduced during the 2024 General Assembly session created an ombudsman position to oversee the Virginia Department of Corrections. Andrea Sapone took the role in September, and later promised to prioritize an investigation into Red Onion State Prison. Dave Cantor reports she held her first stakeholder meeting Tuesday to explain how the office works and […]

Inato: https://go.inato.com/3VnSro6CRIO: http://www.clinicalresearch.ioMy PatientACE recruitment company: https://patientace.com/Join me at my conference! http://www.saveoursites.comText Me: (949) 415-6256Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7JF6FNvoLnBpfIrLNCcg7aGET THE BOOK! https://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-Guide-Clinical-Research-Practical/dp/1090349521/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Dan+Sfera&qid=1691974540&s=audible&sr=1-1-catcorrText "guru" to 855-942-5288 to join VIP list!My blog: http://www.TheClinicalTrialsGuru.comMy CRO and Site Network: http://www.DSCScro.comMy CRA Academy: http://www.TheCRAacademy.comMy CRC Academy: http://www.TheCRCacademy.comLatinos In Clinical Research: http://www.LatinosinClinicalResearch.comThe University Of Clinical Research: https://www.theuniversityofclinicalresearch.com/My TikTok: DanSfera

In dieser Episode von SEOPRESSO spricht Björn Darko mit Stephan Czysch (Head of SEO bei mobile.de) über die Unterschiede zwischen Inhouse- und Agentur-SEO. Sie diskutieren die Herausforderungen, die mit Stakeholder-Management, Teambuilding und der Umsetzung von SEO-Strategien verbunden sind. Stefan teilt seine Erfahrungen aus beiden Welten und gibt Einblicke, wie man als SEO-Manager Einfluss gewinnen und Vertrauen aufbauen kann. Zudem wird die Bedeutung von langfristigen Strategien und die Herausforderungen bei der Conversion-Rate thematisiert. TakeawaysDie meisten SEO-Sachen scheitern nicht am Wissen, sondern an der Umsetzung.Inhouse-SEO bietet die Möglichkeit, direkten Einfluss zu nehmen.Stakeholder-Management ist entscheidend für den Erfolg von SEO-Maßnahmen.Die Sprache der Stakeholder zu verstehen, ist wichtig für die Kommunikation.Agenturen müssen sich als Unternehmensberater positionieren, nicht nur als Dienstleister.Teambuilding ist entscheidend für den Erfolg in Inhouse-Positionen.Vertrauen und Einfluss sind Schlüssel zu erfolgreichem Stakeholder-Management.Die Summe der Best Practices zeigt erst später Wirkung.Conversion-Rate ist oft nicht nur die Verantwortung des SEO-Teams.Fachwissen allein macht noch keinen erfolgreichen SEO-Manager.Chapters00:00 Einführung und Kontext zu SEO-Rollen02:54 Inhouse vs. Agentur: Vor- und Nachteile05:55 Die Herausforderungen der Umsetzung in Unternehmen09:06 Die Rolle des SEO-Managers: Anforderungen und Erwartungen11:47 Stakeholder-Management und interne Kommunikation15:04 Die Bedeutung von Einfluss und Zusammenarbeit18:09 Vorbereitung von Consultants für mehr Impact20:47 Anpassung von Services und Angeboten für Kunden22:42 Der Wert von Inhalten und Nutzererfahrung24:27 Teambuilding und Einflussnahme im Unternehmen28:29 Die Herausforderungen der interkulturellen Teamarbeit29:15 Die Rolle des SEO im Produktmanagement31:21 Ressourcenmanagement und SEO-Strategien32:58 Die Bedeutung von Best Practices in SEO39:00 Langfristige Strategien vs. kurzfristige Erfolge43:48 Agentur-SEO vs. Inhouse-SEO: Wer ist besser?

In this episode of Alexa's Input (AI), Laura Smith, Principal at ILO Group - a women-owned education strategy and policy firm, joins host Alexa Griffith to delve into the transformative impact of AI in K-12 education. We explore how AI is reshaping classrooms, enhancing personalized learning, and streamlining administrative tasks. Laura shares insights on the challenges and opportunities AI presents for educators and students alike. Discover how AI tools are being integrated responsibly to support teaching and learning, and what the future holds for AI in education. Tune in to understand the balance between innovation and responsibility in this rapidly evolving field.Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1tnV8Qk6SEw1Dr9Tqikr0HWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@alexa_griffithYou can now watch on ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠! Find more from this podcast at https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/alexagriffith/You can support this podcast on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠creators page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Make sure to subscribe and follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Alexa's Input on X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (⁠https://x.com/alexasinput⁠)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get notified when a new podcast episode comes out.KeywordsAI in education, K-12, AI implementation, education technology, stakeholder engagement, data security, AI adoption trends, responsible AI, educational initiatives, technology in classroomsTakeawaysAI is transforming education and requires careful implementation.Stakeholder engagement is crucial for successful AI integration.There are risks associated with AI that need to be managed.Professional learning is essential for educators using AI tools.Community feedback shapes how AI is used in schools.Different states have varying approaches to AI in education.Data security is a significant concern with AI technologies.AI can enhance operational efficiency in educational settings.Establishing clear guidelines for AI use is necessary.The landscape of AI in education is rapidly evolving. Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Education01:22 Navigating AI Implementation in Schools03:12 Current Landscape of AI in Education05:38 Vision-Driven AI Adoption08:28 Key Initiatives for AI Integration10:45 Overcoming Technological Barriers11:45 Evolution of AI in Education12:43 Shifts in Educational Approaches to AI14:38 Diverse Perspectives on AI Usage17:56 Challenges in AI Integration19:48 Understanding Data Security Risks23:10 Engaging Stakeholders in AI Discussions25:03 Balancing Innovation with Responsibility26:57 Product Evaluation and Selection28:47 Successful AI Applications in Schools

The conversation focuses on the potential impact of the tomato suspension agreement between the United States and Mexico. The agreement, which has been in place since 1996, has allowed for stability, innovation, and the availability of high-quality tomatoes year-round.   Terminating the agreement could lead to a significant increase in tomato prices, limited availability, and negative economic consequences for both the US and Mexico. Over 450 companies and organizations have signed a letter urging the Department of Commerce to maintain the agreement.   The conversation emphasizes the importance of consumer access to affordable and nutritious produce.

Adam introduces his latest innovation, a technology designed to solve the disconnect between destinations and their stakeholders. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! The ⁠⁠⁠⁠Destination Marketing Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Destination Marketing Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt's services, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠adam@thebrandrevolt.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thedmpn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you are interested in joining the network, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠adam@thebrandrevolt.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode of #AgileWay podcast, I have a conversation with one of the speakers of the Agile Prague Conference that is going to be on Sep 15-16, 2025 in Prague, Czech Republic. We talked with Pamela Paterson about interview techniques to gain understanding of your stakeholder, ability to prioritize, and set goals. #agile #businessagility #agileleader #leadership #agileprague #confernece #stakeholders

In Episode 32, of Season 5 of Driven by Data: The Podcast, Kyle Winterbottom was joined by Arun Nandi, Chief Data and AI Officer at Carrier, where they discuss the transformative role of AI in business and its potential impact on climate change. They explore the importance of a value-first mindset in AI initiatives, the need for cultural alignment and stakeholder engagement, and the significance of reskilling the workforce in the AI era. Arun shares insights on building an AI accelerator programme and the challenges of measuring value in AI projects, emphasising the need for discipline and consistency in tracking outcomes.Takeaways:AI is a powerful enabler for business transformation.The importance of a value-first mindset in AI initiatives.AI's impact on climate change and sustainability is significant.Building an AI accelerator can drive innovation and speed.Cultural alignment is crucial for successful AI adoption.Measuring value in AI requires discipline and consistency.Stakeholder engagement is key to successful AI projects.Reskilling the workforce is essential in the AI era.AI should be viewed as a horizontal capability across organizations.The future of work will involve collaboration between humans and AI.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to AI and Data Leadership03:03 Carrier's Evolution and Purpose05:50 The Current AI Landscape and Its Future12:13 Navigating the AI Hype Cycle17:59 Keys to Success for AI Leaders27:31 The Shift to AI-First Mindset29:06 Prioritizing Value in AI Use Cases34:42 Fostering a Value-First Mindset39:43 Problem-Solving with AI as an Enabler46:16 Accelerating AI Implementation50:26 Cultural Alignment and Co-Ownership in AI53:25 AI's Role in Climate Change and...

Bernard Agrest: Millions of Users, Multiple Stakeholders—The Art of Product Owner Navigation 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 Stakeholder Navigator Bernard describes an exceptional Product Owner who managed a product impacting millions of people while navigating constantly evolving requirements from multiple stakeholders. This Product Owner excelled at understanding each stakeholder's unique needs and communicating effectively with all of them. What made this person truly great was their ability to come to the development team with a clear understanding of both the business case and user needs, having done the hard work of stakeholder management upfront. This Product Owner understood that their role was to be the bridge between complex stakeholder requirements and clear team direction. The Bad Product Owner: The Collaborative Hoarder Bernard identifies a dangerous anti-pattern: the Product Owner who adds everything to the backlog under the guise of being "collaborative." While this behavior appears inclusive and team-friendly on the surface, it actually demonstrates that the Product Owner isn't following through on delivering real value. These Product Owners become almost exclusively focused on authority rather than outcomes, making them particularly difficult to coach since they resist guidance. Bernard recommends using Cost of Delay as both a prioritization technique and a tool to help Product Owners understand why certain items shouldn't be added to the backlog at all. Self-reflection Question: Is your Product Owner truly collaborating by providing clear direction, or are they avoiding difficult prioritization decisions by adding everything to the backlog? In this segment we refer to the Coach Your Product Owner e-course that we created for everyone who needs to help their Product Owners succeed! [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

Is corporate finance about maximizing shareholder value, or should companies focus on broader stakeholder interests? In this episode of Corporate Finance Explained, we explore the evolving debate between shareholder primacy and stakeholder capitalism—and what it means for finance professionals today.Whether you work in financial planning, strategy, or corporate development, this episode provides practical takeaways to help you align financial strategy with long-term value creation.

Nicole Looker, Director of RevOps at Rebuy, shares how she scaled from solo operator to strategic leader - with a focus on stakeholder trust, soft skills, and team development.She breaks down why RevOps success isn't just about tooling, but about communication, prioritisation, and relationships.Expect insights on:Hiring for trust over technical perfectionManaging up (and out) across exec teamsBuilding autonomy and capability in new hiresCommunicating priorities without chaosWhether you're building your first RevOps team or managing one solo, this episode is a must.

NCCI's Donna Glenn and Christine Pike discuss how their podcast brings concise updates on medical inflation, workforce dynamics and economic indicators to an industry seeking accessible, data-backed insights.

In this episode (2/2), Michael Barnard concludes his conversation with Tristan Smith, a leading voice in maritime decarbonization and professor at the UCL Energy Institute, to unpack the tangled web of choices, regulations, and constraints facing the shipping industry as it attempts to cut emissions. From dual-fuel ships and synthetic fuels to compliance markets and long-term infrastructure investment, our conversation covered the broad terrain that policymakers, shippers, and fuel producers are all trying to navigate—with varying degrees of alignment and clarity.The core challenge, as Tristan makes clear, is the uncertainty. Despite rhetoric about decarbonization, the shipping industry remains paralyzed by confusion over which fuel pathways will ultimately dominate. LNG got a big early lead, with over half of dual-fuel ships opting for it before the IMO's revised climate strategy took hold. But now? Stakeholders are stuck in a feedback loop: shipbuilders hesitate to commit without clarity on fuel availability, and fuel suppliers can't scale up without clear demand signals. Hydrogen and synthetic fuels are still expensive and energy-intensive. Methanol offers potential but with its own limitations. Even advanced biofuels are subject to competing demands, especially from aviation. The result? Fleet choices made today could lock in constraints that ripple out for decades.We dove into the IMO's recent regulatory shift, a surprisingly muscular move for a UN body. The new rules focus not just on emissions, but on the carbon intensity of the fuels ships burn. GHG Fuel Intensity (GFI) targets are now baked in, with meaningful penalties: ships that fail to comply will pay fines starting at $100 per ton of CO₂, with funds used to accelerate zero- and near-zero-emission fuel development and assist lower-income countries with energy transitions. It's not a symbolic gesture. Modeling suggests the system could generate $11–12 billion annually in the first three years alone, creating a $33–36 billion fund for global maritime decarbonization. For once, there's a stick and a pot of carrots.Tristan stressed the importance of early action. Ships being built now will still be in service by 2050, and port infrastructure decisions last even longer. Regulatory clarity today means the excuses are drying up. Planning needs to happen now to avoid locking in fossil dependency for another generation. The regulation also means that even if the industry's fuel mix is uncertain, the cost of carbon is not. That changes investment calculus across the board, from ship design to bunker fuel contracts.We also touched on the equity angle. If global shipping decarbonization happens only in the wealthiest ports, it undermines the whole effort. The transition must include support for infrastructure, workforce training, and technology deployment in lower-income nations. Otherwise, we're just pushing emissions and economic pain offshore—literally.This conversation reinforced what I've argued for years: while aviation drags its feet and road transport electrifies at speed, shipping sits in the middle—finally regulated, still confused, and facing real opportunity. The IMO's climate strategy isn't perfect, but it's real, binding, and globally coordinated. It's a serious signal to a sector long stuck in the waiting room of decarbonization. Now the countdown has started.      

Wil, Michael, and Brandy break down three major stories shaping luxury hospitality. First, Sonder CEO Francis Davidson steps down as the company deepens ties with Marriott. What does this leadership shake-up mean for Sonder's future? Next, Exclusive Resorts takes a significant minority stake in OneFineStay, merging private club access with curated home rentals in a bid to dominate the high-end vacation space. Finally, Inspirato announces a $326 million reverse merger with Buyerlink to form One Planet Platforms—a move that signals a pivot toward an AI-powered commerce and customer acquisition model, with luxury travel at its core. --- ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Good Morning Hospitality⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hospitality.FM⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Multi-Media Network and is a Hospitality.FM Original The hospitality industry is constantly growing, changing, and innovating! This podcast brings you the top news and topics from industry experts across different hospitality fields. Good Morning Hospitality publishes three thirty-minute weekly episodes: every Monday and Wednesday at 7 a.m. PST / 10 a.m. EST and every Tuesday at 8 a.m. CET for our European and UK-focused content. Make sure to tune in during our live show on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ every week and join the conversation live! Explore everything Good Morning Hospitality has to offer: • Well & Good Morning Coffee: Enjoy our signature roast—⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠order here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Retreats: Join us at one of our exclusive retreats—learn more and register your interest ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ • Episodes & More: Find all episodes and additional info at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GoodMorningHospitality.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to all of the Hospitality.FM Partners that help make this show possible. If you have any press you want to be covered during the show, email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠goodmorning@hospitality.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neste episódio do Agro & Tech, Lucas Ordonha recebe Felipe Spina e Bernardo Madeira, fundadores da Maestro ABM, para um papo sobre como a metodologia Account-Based Marketing pode revolucionar a forma como startups e empresas de tecnologia se comunicam com os diferentes elos do agronegócio. Personalização, planejamento e foco para transformar conexões em negócios reais #agroetech FICHA TÉCNICAApresentação: Lucas OrdonhaProdução: Agro ResenhaConvidado: Felipe Spina e Bernardo MadeiraEdição: Senhor A - https://editorsenhor-a.com.brSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do I work well with non-technical stakeholders? How do I communicate to people in a way that they will understand? How do I translate the technical into the non-technical for my boss or supervisor? These are the questions we will answer in today's episode of Dev Questions.Website: https://www.iamtimcorey.com/ Ask Your Question: https://suggestions.iamtimcorey.com/ Sign Up to Get More Great Developer Content in Your Inbox: https://signup.iamtimcorey.com/

Key Links:Park & Battery: https://parkandbattery.comPark & Battery LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/parkandbatteryBBN | Agency X: www.bbn-international.com/agencyxThis episode Ed Davis rewinds the reel on Cannes Lions to ask whether the festival is finally judging B2B work on its own creative terms. His guide is Michael Ruby, fresh from the Croisette after Park & Battery's Roto-Rooter campaign became one of only a handful of pure-play B2B entries to make the Creative B2B shortlist.The vibe in CannesRuby describes a “whirlwind” first visit: endless content, dizzying networking and—crucially—a palpable momentum for business-to-business brands. With B2B entries up to 415 this year, he believes the new compliance checks have helped weed out thinly veiled B2C work and sharpen the category's focus on genuine business impact.Evolving judging criteriaBoth host and guest agree the jury is learning to look beyond clever execution to lasting impact. Ruby notes that the best-in-class entries marry creativity with commercial proof: not just impressions and clicks, but measurable shifts in buying intent or brand preference. Yet very few campaigns—his own included—are “culturally sticky” enough to be remembered in five years, a challenge he throws down to the industry.Behind the Roto-Rooter short-listerTurning America's best-known plumber into an emotional storyteller started with one insight: nearly half of small businesses never reopen after a major flood. From there Park & Battery pushed a long-trusted client to embrace talking toilets, wry humour and a budget-friendly regional media plan. Stakeholders bought in instantly—as long as every line stayed technically accurate for professional plumbers. Data, emotion and AIThe pair dissect the uneasy dance between performance metrics and brand building. Gartner still says 60 % of martech sits idle; Cannes jurors can hardly be expected to decode MQLs and SQLs, so agencies must translate data into clearly meaningful outcomes. On AI, Ruby sees a gulf between public bravado and private anxiety: smart teams are automating the menial to free humans for concept craft, while audiences begin to recoil at low-grade “AI slop”.Campaigns that raised the barBeyond his own work, Ruby highlights AXA's “Three Words” domestic-abuse clause, Spotify/FCB's “Song for Every CMO” (with just 14 hyper-targeted impressions) and Vaseline's TikTok verification series as benchmarks that blend purpose, precision and share-worthy storytelling.Advice for would-be Lion-tamers“Stop sitting on the side-lines.” B2B specialists have the craft, but must invest time and a modest budget in world-class case films. If Park & Battery can do it four years in, anyone can. The only real barrier is deciding to enter.

In this episode of the Tech M&A Podcast, Ryen Leva, CEO of Infinity Software, shares his journey of growing and selling his family business. He discusses the importance of building scalable processes, the family dynamics involved in the decision to sell, and the critical aspects of pitching and due diligence during the acquisition process. Ryen also emphasizes the significance of effective communication with team members and aligning offers with personal and family goals. Finally, he reflects on life after the sale and the newfound freedom it brings.   Takeaways Build your company in a way that is forward-looking. Family dynamics play a crucial role in the decision to sell. Having a solid pitch is essential for attracting buyers. Due diligence is critical to prove the business's value. Effective communication with the team is vital during the sale process. Aligning offers with personal and family goals is important. Choosing the right advisors can make a significant difference. The sale can provide new opportunities and choices. Money doesn't guarantee happiness but offers freedom. It's essential to set clear goals before entering negotiations.     Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tech M&A Podcast 00:28 Ryen Leva's Journey with Infinity Software 01:08 Advice for Entrepreneurs Considering an Exit 01:51 The Decision to Sell: Family Dynamics 03:03 The Importance of Pitching and Due Diligence 04:59 Communicating with Team and Stakeholders 06:29 Aligning Offers with Personal and Family Goals 07:35 Choosing the Right Advisors for the Sale 07:56 Life After the Sale: New Opportunities

Today's guest is Trinh Nguyen, Product Owner of ServiceNow at Okta. Founded in 2009, Okta is the leading independent identity management partner. Driven by a vision to empower everyone to safely use any technology, Okta champions neutrality - offering organizations, employees and end users the flexibility to work seamlessly across any device or platform. Today, two-thirds of the Fortune 100, over 40% of the Forbes Global 2000, and thousands of other organizations rely on Okta to protect their digital ecosystems.In the episode, Trinh talks about:0:00 Her journey from IT ops to ServiceNow platform lead5:07 Why late nights aren't ideal, but global teamwork matters6:17 How success isn't technical depth; it's data-driven, value-based storytelling7:30 From out-of-box start to growth & how AI will drive next-level impact10:03 Stakeholder buy-in comes from vision, scalability and ROI09:22 Success is a collaborative effort, as partnership and shared vision drive adoption13:39 Tech needs more women with diverse paths, big impact and no fear15:50 Mentorship through strong women from trusted guidance, observation and inspiration17:33 Advice to believe in yourself; challenges pass and growth follows19:10 Excited about agentic AI which is improving processes autonomously

Ausgabe 107 des Science Busters Podcast kommt aus dem Dachsaal der VHS Urania Wien. Kabarettist Martin Puntigam spricht mit Margreth Keiler, Prof. für Geographie an der Uni Innsbruck & Direktorin des Instituts für Interdisziplinäre Gebirgsforschung der ÖAW und Daniel Huppmann, Energie- und Klimaforscher am IIASA in Laxenburg anlässich der Präsentation des neuen österr. Klimasachstandsberichts über Risikoeinschätzung, Interdisziplinäre Gebirgsforschung, wie dauerhaft Dauersiedlungsbereich im Gebirgsbereich sind, was man unter Schweizer Klimaflüchtlingen versteht, ab wann eine Gebäudeversicherung ein Gebäude nicht mehr versichert, wie man rote Zone wird, ab wann sich ein Erholungsgebiet selber erholen muss, was man beim Geographiestudium lernt, qie man eine Landschaft liest, warum Versicherungen Schigebiete nicht mehr so gern versichern, wieso eine Hochwasserversicherung nicht immer vorteilhaft sein muss, weshalb eine verpflichtende Katastrophenversicherung gerechter wäre, worin sich AAR2 von AAR14 unterscheidet, ob es sinnvoll wäre, den Inhalt des Klimasachstandsberichts beim zuständigen Minister abzuprüfen, ob die Stakeholder jetzt weniger Steaks holden werden, warum sich Staatssekretärinnen russisches Gas zurückwünschen, was man mit einem Sachstandsbericht erreichen kann, wie viel Strafe bei Nichteinhaltung von Klimazielen anfällt oder ob einfach werden die Regeln geändert werden, wenn niemand Strafe zahlen möchte, warum es noch immer klimaschädliche Subventionen gibt, wann Emissionshandel sinnvoll sein kann, ob man lieber in Lobbying oder Innovation investieren sollte, was in der Lastenteilungsverordnung steht & ab wann man als Herausgeberin eines Sachstandsberichts eine zweite Sim-Karte verwenden muss. Stinkenden Tofu mag NMargreth Keiler einfach nicht, darüber haben wir dann aber doch nicht gesprochen.

In this episode of Health Talks, we spotlight a groundbreaking initiative from PrimeCare Health Center—one of the first community health centers in the country to launch an Administrative Fellowship program. Our guests include CEO Lynn Hopkins, along with Elizabeth Brewington and Kelsey Kesler, who share how this 12-month fellowship gives recent master's graduates an immersive leadership experience in community health. From working directly with executive leaders to leading strategic projects and presenting capstones, fellows gain firsthand exposure to operations, healthcare delivery, and systems innovation. The conversation explores why this kind of training is so vital for the future of health centers, especially in underserved communities. Our guests reflect on powerful moments of impact, the importance of cultivating talent in FQHCs, and what's next for PrimeCare's fellowship program. Whether you're a recent grad, a healthcare leader, or a community advocate, this episode offers inspiration—and a roadmap—for building the next generation of health center leadership.Resources:https://www.primecarehealth.org/training-programs

In this powerful episode of Logistics with Purpose®, hosts Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter sit down with Nathan Havey—co-founder of Stakeholder Business and the creative mind behind the podcast miniseries “10 Things You Should Know About Stakeholder Capitalism” and the documentary Beyond Zero.Nathan shares how a shift from political aspirations to business-led change led him to champion stakeholder capitalism. Inspired by the story of Ray Anderson and Interface, he discusses how companies can drive real impact—not by tacking on sustainability as an afterthought, but by embedding it into the very core of their strategies.If you've ever wondered how business can be a true force for good, or how to align profit with purpose, this conversation is for you. Tune in to hear how stakeholder-focused companies can innovate, lead change, and help build a future that works for everyone.Additional Links & Resources:Connect with Nathan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanhavey/Learn more about Stakeholder Business: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stakeholder-businessLa Fortaleza - Official Trailer | Coffee Documentary: https://youtu.be/8AdrC7TXFeA?si=wUpglSlDeBbxbMxpLearn more about Logistics with Purpose: https://supplychainnow.com/program/logistics-with-purposeLearn more about Vector Global Logistics: https://vectorgl.com/Subscribe to Logistics with Purpose: https://logistics-with-purpose.captivate.fm/listenTHis episode was hosted by Enrique Alvarez and Kristi Porter. For additional information, please visit our dedicated show page at: https://supplychainnow.com/business-force-good-power-stakeholder-capitalism-lwp132

Welcome back to the Sales Reinvented podcast! In this episode, I'm joined by globally recognized negotiation expert Mark Raffan, founder of Negotiations Ninja and author of "Nine Secrets to Win Deals and Influence Stakeholders." Mark is known for his straightforward, actionable insights that drive real results.    Our conversation unravels the often-misunderstood differences between negotiation strategy and tactics and explores how they can work together to produce winning outcomes in high-stakes deals. Mark shares his tried-and-tested techniques for planning, stakeholder mapping, and using both collaborative and competitive approaches. He also reveals his top negotiation dos and don'ts and provides a great real-world example of turning a stalled deal into a win through smart strategy and tactical moves.   To learn more about how to better prepare for complex negotiations and counter aggressive buyer tactics, tune into this episode—it's packed with the kind of practical advice you won't want to miss.   Outline of This Episode [05:38] Stay silent after asking a question in negotiations for effective results, wait for the counterparty to respond without interjecting [07:33] Ask for specific returns, avoid open-ended requests, and clarify what happens if your request is denied [12:19] Explore various negotiation strategies and adapt them to each situation for the best outcome [16:26] Take-it-or-leave-it offers are often bluffs to hasten negotiation—respond by exploring flexibility calmly [17:28] Walk away if negotiation needs aren't met; slow down when facing last-minute demands [20:43] Mark's top dos and don'ts in negotiations [24:00] Reviving a stalled $500K deal strategy   Negotiation Strategy vs. Tactics Mark sets the stage by making a critical distinction at the start: negotiation strategy is your overarching game plan, while tactics are the specific moves you make to get from point A to point B. Imagine setting sail; your route, preparation, and destination are your strategy, while the course corrections and adjustments you make en route are your tactics.   Negotiators often conflate the two, winging it with a handful of tactics and no defined destination. Mark's advice is to know what you want before you even enter the room, or risk negotiating with nothing concrete to ask for or offer.   Planning for High-Stakes Deals Mark underscores the vital role of planning in negotiation success: “80% of success is in the prep.” This isn't about just showing up with instincts and hoping for the best—real value is discovered in understanding both your levers and those of every stakeholder involved.   Stakeholder mapping and leverage analysis are the bread and butter of Mark's approach. Many sales professionals make the mistake of only engaging with procurement, assuming that price and delivery are the be-all and end-all. In reality, multiple stakeholders shape a deal, and understanding their unique concerns opens new avenues to add value and find leverage.   Shockingly, Mark sees less than 20% of negotiators (maybe even less than 10% in sales) invest the necessary effort in planning. Those who skip prep and rely solely on talent or instinct often fail under pressure. Three Game-Changers for Challenging Negotiations When it comes to effective negotiation tactics, Mark shares his top three: Strategic Silence: After posing a question, resist the urge to fill the void. Silence gives the other party space to reveal more information—and sometimes their true position. It's a sign of respect and a tool for deeper discovery. Mark recommends holding your tongue as long as it takes, even if the silence feels uncomfortable. Conditional Giving: Never concede without getting something in return. If someone asks for a discount, don't just agree. Make the concession conditional and specific—“I might be able to do that, if you can X.” Avoid open-ended or vague counteroffers. The “What If I Say No?” Test: To clarify the other side's fallback plan (and your own), gently ask, “What will you do if I say no?” This can unblock negotiations and uncover true deal breakers, bringing clarity to tough conversations. Flexing Between Approaches In complex sales scenarios, Mark recommends reading broadly and flexibly applying lessons drawn from various schools of negotiation thought. Whether it's Harvard's collaborative “win-win,” a competitive strategy, or a hybrid approach, sticking rigidly to one philosophy is a mistake.   Use whatever is best suited for the situation that you're in, and be willing to flex. If the situation or negotiation style of the other party changes, so should your approach. The most effective negotiators are those who can pivot between collaboration and competition as needed.   Handling Aggressive Buyer Tactics Sales professionals often face aggressive techniques—take-it-or-leave-it ultimatums, last-minute demands (nibbles), or attempts to rush. Mark's advice: don't get flustered or succumb to urgency. Most “take it or leave it” situations are bluffs; calmly acknowledge and probe for flexibility. If a nibble appears just as you're about to close, slow the process down and, if you make a concession, always ask for something in return. Otherwise, you're inviting further nibbles and training buyers to keep pushing limits.   Resources & People Mentioned You Can Negotiate Anything by Herb Cohen Camp Negotiations Win-Win = Lose-Lose according to Allan Tsang, Negotiations Ninja Podcast Ep #207   Harvard Negotiation Programs     Connect with Mark Raffan Mark Raffan on LinkedIn Negotiations Ninja  Connect With Paul Watts  LinkedIn Twitter  Subscribe to SALES REINVENTED

Problematic stakeholders could be convinced if they... just got data. Right? Nope. Sometimes it's deeper than that. You gotta understand what makes them tick. Is it data? Is it optics? Maybe you should be running heuristic audits on your stakeholders instead of your website...In the second time EVER, someone else has changed my mind on something. Leave it to "Kingpin" Finn McKenty, who's apparently gone from Punk Rock MBA to Finn McKenty PhD, to change my mind.We got into:- How YouTubers are more data driven than your own CEO (lol)- Why you should be running heuristic audits not JUST on your website, but on the stakeholders you interact with (and tips to do so effectively)- Finn gives some general life advice on learning to let go (important when many product and CROs don't have autonomy to actually impact anything)Timestamps:00:00 Episode Start2:46  The analogy of CRO and "Gym" goes so deep6:25 Even YouTubers are data driven11:20 People who don't buy into “experimentation” just optimize for different metrics than you14:28 Psychology of UXers vs. Product/CRO (Finn low key is a psychologist now)20:01 Running heuristic audits on… stakeholders? (yes - it's a good idea)25:07 Optimization sometimes means optimizing for ‘helping people' (not metrics)30:16 Sometimes, CROs gotta play the politics game35:13 Finn offers sage advice in learning how to let go (CROs need to hear this)49:06 Preach: Samuele MazzantiGo follow Finn McKenty on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/finnmckenty/ And go subscribe to his newsletter:https://finnmckenty.beehiiv.com/ Go check out Samuele Mazzanti's post too: https://tinyurl.com/FromAtoB-SamueleAlso go follow Shiva Manjunath on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiva-manjunath/⁠Subscribe to our newsletter for more memes, clips, and awesome content! https://fromatob.beehiiv.com/And go get your free ticket for the Women in Experimentation - you might even be entered to win some From A to B merch! : https://tinyurl.com/FromAtoB-WIE

Are you losing deals and not even realizing why? Bryan Charleton (Sales Manager @ Otter.ai) shares the two most critical moments in the sales process where deals are either won—or fall apart: 1️⃣ The first discovery call: Learn how elite reps build trust from the first question and become indispensable to buyers. 2️⃣ Stakeholder coverage: Stop going single-threaded. We show you how to cover all the right personas—IT, business leaders, and end users—to close airtight deals. RESOURCES DISCUSSED: ⁠⁠Join our weekly newsletter⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Things you can steal⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Save $50 on any 30MPC course⁠⁠ with code “PODCAST” ⁠⁠Free Sales Templates, Scripts and Guides

Join Mark Stiving for a unique dual-guest conversation with Jon Jennings, longtime Impact Pricing sponsor and successful pricing recruiter, and Ryan Walter, a pricing veteran with over 15 years of leadership experience who recently transitioned into recruiting. Together, they reveal the insider's view of private equity pricing transformations, from deal diligence to exit strategies. In this episode, they explore why private equity firms are investing heavily in pricing capabilities, how to determine the right level of pricing leadership for different situations, and the evolving landscape of pricing careers.  The conversation covers everything from pre-acquisition planning to AI's impact on pricing roles, offering valuable insights for both pricing professionals and business leaders.   Why you have to check out today's podcast: Learn the critical difference between hiring a pricing person and orchestrating a pricing transformation. Understand the decision framework for determining whether you need a manager, director, or VP-level pricing leader. Explore why portfolio companies often resist pricing initiatives and how to overcome that resistance.   “In the private equity space, part of the diligence is we think there's an opportunity of pricing improvement of some dollar amount to go get. In order to get that, you're going to need to transform the way things are working, which is building out a team.” – Ryan Walter   Topics Covered: 02:05 – Ryan's journey into pricing: From MBA analytics to solving 7-Eleven's cigarette pricing crisis in Florida 03:29 – Pricing transformation strategies: Why PE's 5-year timeline perfectly aligns with pricing capability building 07:49 – Pricing as a center of excellence: The evolution from analyst roles to VP-level positions and what's next 11:05 – Private equity hiring differences: Stakeholder dynamics, investment thesis pressure, and the "shorter leash" reality 14:30 – Pricing problems in portfolio companies: When port cos don't see the problem PE firms see and how to bridge that gap 17:37 – Pricing transformation explained: Why it's all-encompassing and requires strategy, finance, data, and leadership skills 20:48 – Transformational roles in organizations: The difference between backfilling and building, and why transformation always wins 23:41 – Hiring pricing professionals for PE: Building pricing advisor roles at the firm level and sharing resources across portcos 26:17 – AI's impact on pricing: Data foundation requirements and immediate use cases like rebate design and negotiation prep 29:13 – AI in pricing strategies: Competitive data matching, SKU comparison, and the 80% solution approach 32:06 – Promoting the pricing field: Building the next generation of talent and educating people into pricing careers   Key Takeaways: "In the private equity space, part of the diligence is we think there's an opportunity of pricing improvement of some dollar amount to go get. In order to get that, you're going to need to transform the way things are working, which is building out a team." – Ryan Walter "The reason I like that word [transformation] is it's all encompassing because it's not really one thing. It's not, oh, we need to get a director of FPA in here. We need to get somebody who understands strategy, who understands finance, who understands data and IT tools, and is a leader that can influence others." – Ryan Walter "If you're going to go for a pricing transformation, you have to dive in with both feet. Halfway doesn't typically work." – Jon Jennings   Resources and People Mentioned: 7-Eleven: https://www.7-eleven.com/   Connect with Jon Jennings & Ryan Walter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonjennings/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-walter3141/   Connect with Mark Stiving: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stiving/ Email: mark@impactpricing.com  

In this episode of The Tech Trek, Christina Garcia, SVP of Engineering at Echo Global Logistics, shares her insights on integrating AI not as a replacement but as a partner in business operations. We unpack how organizations can holistically rethink processes, overcome adoption hurdles, and empower innovators inside the company to co-create AI use cases. Christina also opens up about the unique leadership pressures this wave of transformation brings—and how she manages them.

(0:00) Intro (1:49) About the podcast sponsor: The American College of Governance Counsel(2:36) Introduction by Professor Anat Admati, Stanford Graduate School of Business. Read the event coverage from Stanford's CASI.(4:14) Start of Interview(4:45) What inspired Karen to write this book and how she got started with journalism.(8:00) OpenAI's Nonprofit Origin Story(8:45) Sam Altman and Elon Musk's Collaboration(10:39) The Shift to For-Profit(12:12) On the original split between Musk and Altman over control of OpenAI(14:36) The Concept of AI Empires(18:04) About concept of "benefit to humanity" and OpenAI's mission "to ensure that AGI benefits all of humanity"(20:30) On Sam Altman's Ouster and OpenAI's Boardroom Drama (Nov 2023) "Doomers vs Boomers"(26:05) Investor Dynamics Post-Ouster of Sam Altman(28:21) Prominent Departures from OpenAI (ie Elon Musk, Dario Amodei, Ilya Sutskever, Mira Murati, etc)(30:55) The Geopolitics of AI: U.S. vs. China(32:37) The "What about China" Card used by US companies to ward off regulation.(34:26) "Scaling at All Costs is not leading us in a good place"(36:46) Karen's preference on ethical AI development "I really want there to be more participatory AI development. And I think about the full supply chain of AI development when I say that."(39:53) Her biggest hope and fear for the future "the greatest threat of these AI empires is the erosion of democracy."(43:34) The case of Chilean Community Activism and Empowerment(47:20) Recreating human intelligence and the example of Joseph Weizenbaum, MIT (Computer Power and Human Reason, 1976)(51:15) OpenAI's current AI research capabilities: "I think it's asymptotic because they have started tapping out of their scaling paradigm"(53:26) The state (and importance of) open source development of AI. "We need things to be more open"(55:08) The Bill Gates demo on chatGPT acing the AP Biology test.(58:54) Funding academic AI research and the public policy question on the role of Government.(1:01:11) Recommendations for Startups and UniversitiesKaren Hao is the author of Empire of AI (Penguin Press, May 2025) and an award-winning journalist covering the intersections of AI & society. You can follow Evan on social media at:X: @evanepsteinLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/epsteinevan/ Substack: https://evanepstein.substack.com/__To support this podcast you can join as a subscriber of the Boardroom Governance Newsletter at https://evanepstein.substack.com/__Music/Soundtrack (found via Free Music Archive): Seeing The Future by Dexter Britain is licensed under a Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 United States License

Summary  In this episode of the Building Better Cultures podcast, Scott McInnes speaks with Catherine Fallon about the critical role of change communication in organizations undergoing transformation. Catherine shares her extensive experience in employee engagement and change management, emphasizing the importance of building trust and aligning stakeholders during periods of change. The conversation explores effective strategies for communicating change, the role of middle management, the significance of storytelling, and the necessity of engaging change agents to foster a supportive environment. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the need for honesty and transparency in communication to ensure successful change implementation.  Takeaways  Change communication is about building trust, not just issuing messages.  Effective change communication aligns people towards a common goal.  Resistance can cripple change programs if not managed properly.  Honesty and transparency are critical in change communication.  Middle management plays a vital role in translating change for their teams.  Stakeholder analysis is essential to understand different perspectives.  Stories can make change relatable and resonate with employees.  Engaging change agents helps to influence and support the change process.  Regular communication updates are necessary, even if there is no new information.  Treating employees like adults fosters a culture of trust and engagement.    Sound Bites  "It's not what you do, it's how you do it."  "Change is always going to happen in an organization."  "Building trust with the people going through the change."  "The worst case is resistance and friction."  "You want to know where the pockets of resistance are."  "Being honest and open is critical."  "Treat your employees like adults and don't infantilize them."  Chapters  00:00 Introduction to Change Communications  02:51 Catherine Fallon's Career Journey  05:45 The Importance of Change Communication  08:49 Effective Change Communication Strategies  12:09 The Role of Middle Management in Change  15:05 Understanding Stakeholder Perspectives  17:49 The Power of Storytelling in Change  21:04 Engaging Change Agents and Influencers  23:57 Final Thoughts on Honesty in Change Communication   

Stakeholders from across the healthcare industry, including members of Congress, the US Food and Drug Administration, and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, recently convened in Washington D.C. for the Medical Device Manufacturers Association (MDMA) Annual Meeting. In this episode of Connected With Latham, Washington, D.C. partners Chris Schott, Nate Beaton, and Bill McConagha, and associate Danny Machado share their key takeaways from the meeting, including compliance hot topics and what the industry can expect in terms of regulatory enforcement in 2025.   This podcast is provided as a service of Latham & Watkins LLP. Listening to this podcast does not create an attorney client relationship between you and Latham & Watkins LLP, and you should not send confidential information to Latham & Watkins LLP. While we make every effort to assure that the content of this podcast is accurate, comprehensive, and current, we do not warrant or guarantee any of those things and you may not rely on this podcast as a substitute for legal research and/or consulting a qualified attorney. Listening to this podcast is not a substitute for engaging a lawyer to advise on your individual needs. Should you require legal advice on the issues covered in this podcast, please consult a qualified attorney. Under New York's Code of Professional Responsibility, portions of this communication contain attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Results depend upon a variety of factors unique to each representation. Please direct all inquiries regarding the conduct of Latham and Watkins attorneys under New York's Disciplinary Rules to Latham & Watkins LLP, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, Phone: 1.212.906.1200

Check out my book, That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore: On the Death and Rebirth of Comedy https://amzn.to/3VhFa1r My mother drank Budweiser when she was pregnant with me, so this episode of The LPP on Bud Light is close to my heart. (Albeit Mom was a Bud-Heavy drinker.) I hope you enjoy my very sober conversation with Anson Frericks, a former president at Anheuser-Busch and author of Last Call for Bud Light. https://amzn.to/4i7kCSz  We talked about Dylan Mulvaney, Shareholders vs Stakeholders, millionaires hating billionaires, and how much European ass the US of A is kicking. Check out my short story "Paul's Ghost" in Nothing Sacred from Heresy Press and Skyhorse Publishing. Catch me on tour, opening for the brilliant Scott Thompson. (Dates Below) Tickets here: https://newscottlandland.com/live-events Philadelphia, PA - June 3 Alexandria, VA - June 4 Atlanta, GA - June 10 I've been rocking XX-XY Athletics wares. WORK OUT, SPEAK OUT! You can get 20% off your purchase of the perfect burpee gear with promo code LOU20. https://www.xx-xyathletics.com/?sca_ref=7113152.ifIMaKpCG3ZfUHH4 Support me at www.substack.com/@louperez     Join my newsletter www.TheLouPerez.com   Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/.../the-lou-perez.../id1535032081   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2KAtC7eFS3NHWMZp2UgMVU   Amazon: https://music.amazon.com/.../2b7d4d.../the-lou-perez-podcast   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb5trMQQvT077-L1roE0iZyAgT4dD4EtJ   Who am I? Lou Perez is a comedian, producer, and author of That Joke Isn't Funny Anymore. You may have seen him on FOX's Gutfeld! and Open to Debate (with Michael Ian Black). Lou was the head writer and producer of the Webby Award-winning comedy channel We the Internet TV and produces Comedy Is Murder, a sketch comedy series with Free the People. Lou is a FAIR-in-the Arts fellow, on the advisory board of Heresy Press, and hosts the live debate series The Wrong Take and The Lou Perez Podcast.  During my tenure at We the Internet, I made the kind of comedy that gets you put on lists and your words in the Wall Street Journal: “How I Became a ‘Far-Right Radical.” How'd I start out? I began doing improv and sketch comedy while an undergrad at New York University, where I was part of the comedy group the Wicked Wicked Hammerkatz. For years, I performed at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater (both in NYC and L.A.) in sketch shows with the Hammerkatz and my comedy duo, Greg and Lou. G&L are probably best known for our sketch "Wolverine's Claws Suck," which has over 20 million views across online platforms. I was a writer for Fox Sports' @TheBuzzer; produced The Attendants with the Above Average Network; produced pilots for FOX Digital and MSN Games; and was a comedy producer on TruTV's Impractical Jokers. I hosted the stand-up show Uncle Lou's Safe Place in Los Angeles, performed at the Big Pine Comedy Festival, Bridgetown Comedy Festival, and co-created the political comedy podcast Unsafe Space. I've opened for Jimmy Dore, Rich Vos, Dave Smith, and Rob Schneider. I'm currently on tour with Scott Thompson. I taught creative writing at the City College of New York, "writing the web series" for Writing Pad, and comedy writing workshops for the Moving Picture Institute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Highlight Cast, host Ashley Nichols, VP of Corporate Strategy and Development at Highlight, sits down with Mandy Graham, Director for National Security Solutions, to explore the often-overlooked art of stakeholder management—especially in the context of government change initiatives and continuous delivery.Fresh from co-leading a session at the Prodacity Conference, Mandy shares practical insights on:Defining stakeholder management and why it's critical to successful changeThe four foundational pillars of effective stakeholder engagementStrategies for navigating resistance and building trustHow to tailor messaging to resonate with diverse stakeholder groupsThe role of data in building credibility and alignmentCommon pitfalls—like assumptions—and how to avoid themWhether you're managing a federal program or leading a team through transformation, this episode offers a blueprint for building strong, aligned, and engaged stakeholder relationships.

BONUS: Tom Gilb on Building True Engineering Culture and Delivering Value Through Evolutionary Methods In this BONUS episode, we dive deep into the world of true engineering discipline with Tom Gilb, a pioneer who was writing about Agile principles before Agile was even named. We explore his latest book "Success - Super Secrets & Strategies for Efficient Value Delivery in Projects and Programs, and Plans" and uncover the fundamental flaws in how organizations approach project delivery and stakeholder management. The Genesis of Success-Focused Engineering "People were failing at project deliveries - even when using Agile. I saw there was very little about setting clear goals and reaching them, it had nothing to do with being successful." Tom's motivation for writing his latest book stems from a critical observation: despite the widespread adoption of Agile methodologies, project failure rates remain unacceptably high. The core issue isn't methodology but rather the fundamental lack of clarity around what success actually means. Tom emphasizes that true success is about achieving the improvements you want at a price you can afford, yet most organizations fail to define this clearly from the outset. In this segment, we refer to the book How Big Things Get Done by Bent Flyvbjerg who published statistics on the poor performance of projects in general. Beyond OKRs: The Power of Quantified Multi-Dimensional Objectives "First you need to have a definition of what it means to succeed. And that needs to be multi-dimensional. And you need to clarify what they are." While many organizations believe they're already quantifying objectives through frameworks like OKRs, Tom reveals significant weaknesses in these approaches. True value isn't just profit—it encompasses multiple dimensions including security, usability, and other stakeholder-specific benefits. The key insight is learning to quantify what needs to be achieved across all critical dimensions, as you simply cannot design for high-quality attributes like security without first quantifying and designing for them explicitly. In this segment, we talk about Tom's paper on OKR's titled "OKR Objectives and Key Results: what's wrong and how to fix it". The Missing Engineering Discipline "Why is the failure rate of our projects so high?" Tom identifies a paradoxical problem: engineering organizations often lack true engineering discipline. This fundamental gap explains why project success rates remain low despite technological advances. Real engineering requires systematic approaches to design, stakeholder analysis, and incremental value delivery—disciplines that are often overlooked in favor of rushed implementations. Stakeholder Analysis: Beyond User Stories "Stakeholders have a requirement - even if we don't know it. They might be people, but also law, contract, policies, etc. They all have requirements for us." Traditional user-centered methods like user stories can lead to failure when critical stakeholders are overlooked. Tom advocates for comprehensive stakeholder analysis as the foundation of engineering discipline. Stakeholders aren't just people—they include laws, contracts, policies, and other constraints that have requirements for your system. The practical tip here is to use AI tools to help identify and list these stakeholders, then quantify their specific requirements using structured approaches like Planguage. The Gilb Cycle: True Incremental Value Delivery "Get things done every week, next week, until it's all done. We need to decompose any possible design into enough increments so that each increment delivers some value." What distinguishes Tom's evolutionary approach from popular Agile frameworks is the focus on choosing the most efficient design and then systematically improving existing systems through measured increments. Each increment must deliver tangible value, and the decomposition process should be aided by AI tools to ensure optimal value delivery. This isn't just about iteration—it's about strategic improvement with measurable outcomes. Building Engineering Culture: A Two-Leader Approach "There are two leaders: the tech leaders and the management leaders. For management leaders: demand a value stream of results starting next week. To the tech leaders: learn the engineering process." Creating a true engineering culture requires coordinated effort from both management and technical leadership. Management leaders should demand immediate value streams with weekly results, while technical leaders must master fundamental engineering processes including stakeholder analysis and requirement quantification. This dual approach ensures both accountability and capability development within the organization. Further Resources During this episode we refer to several of Tom's books and papers. You can see this list below Software Metrics by Tom Gilb Principles of software engineering management - Also available in PDF Evo book   About Tom Gilb Tom Gilb, born in the US, lived in London, and then moved to Norway in 1958. An independent teacher, consultant, and writer, he has worked in software engineering, corporate top management, and large-scale systems engineering. As the saying goes, Tom was writing about Agile, before Agile was named. In 1976, Tom introduced the term "evolutionary" in his book Software Metrics, advocating for development in small, measurable steps. Today, we talk about Evo, the name that Tom used to describe his approach. You can link with Tom Gilb on LinkedIn.

Deniz Ari: Stakeholder Management Rhythms for Successful Scrum Masters 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. For Deniz, successful Scrum Masters create environments with positive team dynamics, easy communication, and a focus on continuous improvement that leads to valuable deliverables. The key indicators include whether team members can speak freely, whether there's trust between team members, and if the team feels like "a safe place to fail." Deniz recommends admitting your own mistakes in front of the team to model vulnerability, continuously observing team interactions, and noticing whether teams openly discuss obstacles. For stakeholder management, Deniz suggests establishing regular catch-up calls with leaders to keep team messages in the conversation and setting up routine discussions with stakeholders to maintain alignment. Featured Retrospective Format for the Week: The Worst Retro Deniz shares a playful yet effective retrospective format called "The Worst Retro," conducted using a MURAL board. The session begins with an energy/mood check to establish the team's current state. Then it moves into three key sections: what team members remember from the sprint, how they could make the next sprint worse, and finally deciding what actions to take next. Deniz explains that the power of this approach lies in using humor to discuss serious problems—by asking how to make things worse, team members can indirectly highlight what's already not working. This format creates an informal, relaxed environment where people feel comfortable addressing challenging topics that might otherwise remain unspoken. Self-reflection Question: How might introducing an element of humor or "reverse thinking" help your team discuss problems they've been avoiding in traditional retrospective formats? [The Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast Recommends]

The latest GOP spending and tax bill would add an estimated $3.8 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade. More debt means the government will issue more bonds. But investors don't necessarily want a flooded bond market — we'll explain why. Also in this episode: Stakeholders report longer waits for financial aid information since Department of Education layoffs, retailers set their sights on European markets to alleviate tariff pressure and workplace adoption of AI is tricky to track.Every story has an economic angle. Want ‘em in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org and consider making an investment in our future. 

The latest GOP spending and tax bill would add an estimated $3.8 trillion to the national deficit over the next decade. More debt means the government will issue more bonds. But investors don't necessarily want a flooded bond market — we'll explain why. Also in this episode: Stakeholders report longer waits for financial aid information since Department of Education layoffs, retailers set their sights on European markets to alleviate tariff pressure and workplace adoption of AI is tricky to track.Every story has an economic angle. Want ‘em in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org and consider making an investment in our future. 

Learn how Max Licht wins complex 6 and 7-figure enterprise deals by shadowing his prospects' workflows, de-risking every technical blocker, and turning IT stakeholders into deal accelerators.