Libsyn Directory

Holiday Reflections from Synozur: A Dynamic 2024

Release Date: 12/14/2024

The Introvert’s Guide to Influence - Crissy Conner

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Polaris is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty speaks with Crissy Conner, founder of the Visible CEO movement, about the complexities of developing leadership careers for women amidst gender bias. They discuss the importance of visibility, authenticity, and overcoming fear in order to succeed in leadership roles. Crissy shares her journey of becoming a visibility strategist and emphasizes the need for women to embrace their...

Building Delight: Inside Microsoft Product Management

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Polaris is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty speaks with Sean Squires, Principal Product Manager at Microsoft, about the evolving landscape of software development, particularly in the realm of content management and AI. They discuss the challenges posed by the massive data explosion, the role of AI in enhancing content findability, and the importance of customer empathy in product management. Sean shares insights into the...

Not Too Big, Not Too Small – TechCon is Just Right - David Wilhelm

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Polaris is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Summary In this conversation, Chris McNulty and David Wilhelm discuss the challenges of AI adoption in enterprises, emphasizing the importance of training and expertise. They explore the evolution of TechCon 365, highlighting the benefits of mid-sized tech events, community engagement, and the diversity of attendees. The discussion also covers the direct engagement opportunities available at these events and the upcoming...

Bots to Books to Bucks – The AI Revenue Flywheel - Zack Zeller

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Generative AI is reshaping the business world by accelerating sales and customer engagement. In this episode of Polaris, Zack Zeller shares how thought leadership and engaging content can fuel the AI-powered revenue flywheel. From practical frameworks to emotional resonance in marketing, Zack explores how AI can amplify authenticity, streamline content creation, and drive meaningful business outcomes. 📌 Key Takeaways AI as a Catalyst: AI is not just a tool—it’s a catalyst for deeper customer connections and more efficient marketing systems. The Revenue Flywheel: Thought leadership and...

The Wonderful World of Mark Kashman

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Polaris is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Summary In this episode of Polaris, Mark Kashman and Chris McNulty explore the evolution of the Microsoft 365 community, emphasizing the importance of personal engagement. They discuss the role of internal advocates in technology adoption, the excitement surrounding new features, and the value of the TechCommunity. The conversation also touches on automation, collaboration, and the significance of events like the...

Strategy Unplugged: Dialogues with Dr. John Hillen

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Polaris is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty engages with Dr. John Hillen, author of 'The Strategy Dialogues', to explore the complexities of business strategy. They discuss the common misunderstandings surrounding strategy, the importance of dialogue in strategy development, and how to bring strategic thinking into everyday business practices. Dr. Hillen emphasizes the need for clear definitions of strategy, the distinction...

Transform the Future at The M365 Community Conference - Jeff Teper

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Join us as Jeff Teper and Karuana Gatimu discuss how to transform your future at the Microsoft 365 Community Conference (“M365CC”), highlighting key innovations and offering insights into what attendees can expect at this year's event. Polaris is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. References Any time we speak with Jeff and Karuana, you can expect a fairly extensive reference and reading list. News and Data Live events are back. According to , after most...

The Productivity Paradox: Handling More with Less - Mr. Productivity

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Polaris is a production of – the transformation company. We reimagine business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. In this episode, Mark Struczewski, known as Mr. Productivity, discusses the challenges of maintaining focus in a world filled with distractions, particularly the impact of attention residue. He emphasizes the importance of effective meetings, personal definitions of success, and the hidden forms of procrastination that can hinder productivity. Mark also highlights the role of AI as a powerful tool for enhancing productivity and...

AI Realities: More Than Meets the Avatar - Michael Cutajar

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Polaris is a production of – the transformation company, navigating the complexities of strategy and planning with ease. In this conversation, Chris McNulty and Michael Cutajar explore the transformative potential of AI-powered interactive avatars in business. Michael is the CEO and founder of They discuss the current state of the digital avatar market, the capabilities of avatars, and the challenges of customer acceptance. Michael shares insights on how avatars can enhance customer experiences, the ethical considerations surrounding their use, and the importance of understanding customer...

Project Runway: The Path to Delivery Excellence with Michelle Boyd

Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty and Michelle Boyd discuss the importance of delivery excellence in project management. They explore the definitions of projects and delivery management, common misconceptions, and the significance of methodologies like Agile and Waterfall. The conversation highlights the role of kickoff meetings, tools, and templates in ensuring successful project delivery, as well as strategies for rescuing troubled projects. They also touch on the impact of technology and AI on project management and share insights from successful deliveries. Takeaways Delivery...

More Episodes

In this special holiday episode of Polaris, guests from Synozur reflect on the past year, discussing significant events, innovations in technology, and personal highlights. They explore the impact of AI on businesses and the community, share memorable pop culture moments, and make predictions for 2025, emphasizing the importance of adapting to change and focusing on the human side of technology.

Takeaways

2024 was a year of both challenges and innovations in technology.
AI is expected to be leveraged in new and impactful ways in businesses.
The rise of fractional expertise is becoming a trend in organizations.
Pop culture moments, like the Olympics and music events, shaped the year.
The importance of focusing on the business value of AI is critical.
A more skeptical approach to AI investments is anticipated in 2025.
Diversity in STEM fields is increasing, as seen in events like the Excel World Championships.
The future of AI should prioritize ethical considerations and human values.

Sound Bites

"AI has been going along for like 65 years."
"There's a lot of incentive to get this right."
"The business value of AI has yet to be proved."

References

News and Third-Party Sources:

· Enhanced Geothermal Systems: Advancements in geothermal energy for commercial use. MIT Technology Review

· James Webb Space Telescope: Provided unprecedented clarity in astronomy with stunning images of distant galaxies and exoplanet atmospheres. NASA's Webb Depicts Staggering Structure in 19 Nearby Spiral Galaxies

· Gartner Report on Generative AI: Discusses the deployment and expectations of generative AI solutions in businesses. Gartner Says More Than 80% of Enterprises Will Have Used Generative AI APIs or Deployed Generative AI-Enabled Applications by 2026

· CrowdStrike Outage: Impact on Windows systems and the need to modernize technology infrastructures. Understanding the CrowdStrike-Induced Microsoft Outage

Pop Culture:

· Coldplay's Music Video "All My Love": Features Dick Van Dyke, highlighting his career and family. Dick Van Dyke sings with Coldplay's Chris Martin in 'All My Love' music video

· Olympics 2024: Memorable moments including Snoop Dogg's hosting and breakdancing as an Olympic sport. Snoop Dogg’s BEST MOMENTS At The 2024 Paris Olympics

· Madonna's Truth or Dare (1991): Mentioned in the context of AI discussions. Madonna: Truth or Dare - terrific documentary

· Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce: Their relationship's impact on the Super Bowl and pop culture. Travis Kelce Reveals How Taylor Swift Romance Has Impacted Pop Culture

· Shogun TV Series on Hulu: Detailed depiction of Japanese culture and its intersection with Western culture. Shōgun: The brutal Japanese history that inspired 2024's latest TV hit

· Anora (2024): An exotic dancer's trouble with the Russian mafia, both hilarious and heartbreaking. Anora - Wikipedia

World Travel:

· Olympic Mountains: Mentioned in the context of global events. Olympic National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

· Breckenridge, Colorado: Mentioned as a skiing destination. Colorado Skiing & Snowboarding | Breckenridge Resort

· Iceland: Locations where the aurora was observed. Northern Lights in Iceland - When & Where To See the Aurora

· Whidbey Island: Locations where the aurora was observed. Northern Lights over Whidbey

Third-Party Events:

· M365 Community Conference: Scheduled for May 4th-9th in Las Vegas, featuring keynotes from Jeff Teper and Jared Spataro. Microsoft 365 Community Conference

· TechCon 365 Seattle: Scheduled for June 23rd-27th at the Seattle Convention Center. TechCon 365 Seattle

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductions
00:52 Guest Introductions
02:43 Highlights of 2024: Innovations and Discoveries
10:09 Reflecting on Synozur's Year: Achievements and Growth
15:20 Pop Culture Moments of 2024
26:08 Looking Ahead: Predictions for 2025
33:24 Upcoming Events and Conferences
34:25 Closing Thoughts
36:05 Thanks and Happy Holidays

This podcast was produced with Riverside.fm, and features the song A Snowflake's Tale by Howard Harper-Barnes, courtesy of Epidemic Sound.

References

News and Third-Party Sources:

Pop Culture:

World Travel:

Third-Party Events:

TOPICS