Holiday Reflections from Synozur: A Dynamic 2024
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
Release Date: 12/14/2024
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Four Synozur leaders - Michelle Boyd, Michelle Caldwell, Joshua Christensen & Shari Oswald – join Chris McNulty on a special holiday edition of Polaris to reflect on 2025's seismic shifts in AI, the gap between technology and organizational maturity, and why 2026 will separate those who merely adopted tools from those who fundamentally transformed how work gets done. KEY TAKEAWAYS Agentic AI arrived in force in...
info_outlinePolaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Summary Larry Namer, co-founder of E! Entertainment Television, shares his remarkable journey with Chris McNulty on Polaris - from working underground installing cables in Manhattan to building a multi-billion-dollar global media empire that transformed celebrity culture, pioneered red carpet coverage, and expanded entertainment across 140 countries—plus his insights on AI, thinking globally, and why passion alone isn't always...
info_outlinePolaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
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 interviews Ed DeAngelis, CEO of EDA Contractors, who shares his journey of transforming a roofing company into a leader in the construction industry through a focus on servant leadership and a people-first approach. Ed discusses the challenges faced in the construction sector, the importance of creating a win-win culture, and how humanity plays a crucial role in business success. He...
info_outlinePolaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
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 discusses the latest innovations announced at Microsoft's Ignite conference, focusing on AI advancements in Microsoft 365. Key topics include the introduction of Work IQ, the centralized management platform Agent 365, new features in Office apps, enhancements in Outlook for AI powered scheduling, and the role of SharePoint in AI-driven collaboration. The episode also highlights the...
info_outlinePolaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
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 Adam Harmetz, Corporate Vice President for SharePoint at Microsoft. They discuss Adam's career journey, and the significant role of AI in knowledge management. The conversation delves into how SharePoint is evolving as a knowledge engine for AI, the importance of community feedback in product development, and the future of information management. Adam shares insights on...
info_outlinePolaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
is a production of – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Nonprofits are moving from AI experiments to governed, human‑centered deployments. AIIM’s Tori Miller‑Liu and Synozur’s Andrew Borg share field lessons, from “conversational search” that cites sources to coalition‑driven ethics and the EU AI Act’s impact horizon. Takeaways AI is a force multiplier, not a headcount reducer. The biggest value today is in accelerating research, finance, content triage, and...
info_outlinePolaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
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 and futurist Michael Tchong, founder of the Ubertrends Academy, discuss the profound impact of AI on society, the workforce, and the economy. They explore the rapid advancements in AI technology, the potential for job displacement, and the need for upskilling in the workforce. Michael emphasizes the importance of understanding the trends and innovations that AI brings, as well as...
info_outlinePolaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
Show Notes 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 and Rob Asen discuss the critical challenges of corporate transformation, the role of transformation offices, and the impact of AI on business strategies. They share insights from successful transformation projects, highlight common pitfalls to avoid, and outline a five-step process for effective transformation. Additionally, Rob shares his personal experiences with community...
info_outlinePolaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
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 hosts Ryan Barry from M-Files and Ian Story from Microsoft to discuss the evolving landscape of content management, particularly in light of their new partnership. They explore how AI is transforming traditional content management systems, the unique offerings of M-Files, and the importance of unstructured data in leveraging AI effectively. The conversation highlights the benefits of...
info_outlinePolaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
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 Damien Lacey, an expert in operational excellence, about his journey from a consultant to a business owner. They discuss the importance of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies in today's business landscape, the challenges of acquiring a business, and the cultural shifts that come with ownership. Damien shares insights on balancing strategy with operations, the impact of AI on...
info_outlineIn 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.
© 2024 The Synozur Alliance, All Rights Reserved