Fractional CxOs Get Our Undivided Attention - Michelle Caldwell
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
Release Date: 01/28/2025
Copilot, Culture & the Cloud: 2025 at Synozur
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...
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Larry Namer: The Kid from Coney Island Who Invented Modern TV
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
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Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
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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. 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...
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On Point with SharePoint - Adam Harmetz
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. 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...
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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. 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...
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Trendspotting - The Future of AI with Michael Tchong
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. 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...
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Polaris 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...
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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. 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...
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From Lean to Lead – A Consultant-Turned-Owner Story – Damien Lacey
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. 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 episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty and Michelle Caldwell discuss the emerging trend of fractional leadership, particularly the role of fractional CxOs. They explore the reasons behind the rise of these roles, including the impact of the pandemic, the mass resignation trend, and the increasing acceptance of remote work. Michelle shares insights on the benefits of fractional leadership, such as flexibility and access to top talent, as well as the importance of defining success and cultural fit. The conversation also touches on the risks associated with fractional roles and how organizations can effectively engage fractional leaders.
Keywords
fractional leadership, CXOs, remote work, business transformation, talent acquisition, organizational strategy, executive roles, innovation, consulting, Synozur
Takeaways
- Fractional leaders provide strategic expertise without long-term commitment.
- The mass resignation trend has led to talent shortages.
- Remote work has made fractional roles more acceptable.
- Cross-industry exposure enhances innovation and creativity.
- Cultural fit is crucial for fractional leadership effectiveness.
- Fractional roles can help organizations test fit before full-time commitment.
- Fractional leaders often bring fresh perspectives and energy.
Sound Bites
- "We can find talent anywhere in the world."
- "Cultural fit is super important."
- "Fractional leadership is about flexibility."
References
The West Wing John Spencer played Leo McGarry, Chief of Staff for President Josiah Bartlet on the NBC drama.
Simon’s Sinek’s podcast, A Bit of Optimism | An inspiring podcast with Simon Sinek can be found on most major podcast platforms.
Events
- "SharePoint: From Concept to Creation to Impact + Live AMA" webinar with Jeff Teper | Jan. 29, 2025, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST
- 2025 Trends Shaping Knowledge. Sponsored by ClearPeople, Katya Linossi, their CEO will host Marjan Hermkes (LIME), Barry Byrne (Novartis & the Knowledge Summit) and Chris McNulty (Synozur) to look ahead at knowledge, AI use cases, technology trends and more. January 30 at 8AM PST, 11AM EST.
- M365 Miami 2025 | Feb. 6-7, 2025
- Microsoft 365 Community Conference | May 5-8, 2025 (Vegas) Jeff Teper and Jared Spataro will be keynoting from Microsoft, along with many other speakers from Microsoft, Synozur, partners, customers and more.
- TechCon 365 Seattle | June 23-27, 2025 Synozur will be sponsoring and speaking at TechCon 365 Seattle.
Credits
Polaris is produced with the help of our friends at Riverside.fm. Our theme song, “Alternative Dream” is provided courtesy of Adobe.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Fractional CXOs
09:15 The Rise of Fractional Leadership
18:13 Defining Success in Fractional Roles
24:16 Synozur's Approach to CxOs
26:02 Retaining Fractional Talent
27:23 Things to know
28:14 Recommended Content
29:33 Upcoming Events in 2025
31:42 Wrap Up and Thank You