AI and the Digital Workplace with Ed Rogers from Akumina and Michelle Caldwell
Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast
Release Date: 03/06/2025
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
info_outlinePolaris is a production of Synozur - an advisory agency focused on transforming business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategic planning with ease.
Welcome to a special episode of Polaris Pulse, where we’re joined by Ed Rogers of Akumina and Michelle Caldwell to explore the transformative impact of AI on digital workplaces, discussing the challenges and strategies for effective integration. AI offers new ways to generate and consume information in the digital workplace, while digital workplace tools can unify fragmented user experiences that are a byproduct of a multiplying range of AI systems. Together, they unravel the challenges and strategies necessary for creating cohesive and productive digital workplaces, emphasizing the crucial balance between technology, people, and processes.
Keywords
AI, digital workplace, productivity, omni-AI, employee engagement, integration, technology transformation, chatbots, organizational culture, strategies
Takeaways
- The proliferation of AI tools is reshaping digital workplaces.
- Task switching among AI applications is a significant productivity drain.
- Digital workplaces must integrate technology, people, and processes effectively.
- AI is not just a tool; it's a strategic necessity for businesses.
- Employee engagement is crucial for a successful digital workplace.
- A cohesive strategy is needed for integrating various AI systems.
- The human element remains vital in AI interactions.
- Organizations must avoid fragmentation in their digital tools.
- AI should enhance human interaction, not replace it.
Sound Bites
"AI is not just a tool; it's a partner that can enhance our creativity and productivity, making digital workplaces more dynamic and efficient." - Ed Rogers
"Integrating AI in the workplace is not just about automation; it's about creating an environment where innovation flourishes." - Michelle Caldwell
References
- Synozur research projects the market for generative AI is growing at triple digit rates and will reach significantly over $100 billion in 2025. But that expansion of revenues is also leading to an expansion of interfaces.
- AI proliferation contributing to productivity declines: Our research also shows that the productivity drain from knowledge worker task switching will reach $279.5 billion this year. Embracing the Future: Predictions for AI in 2025 — The Synozur Alliance
Events
- Transforming the Digital Workplace – Webinar. On March 11, join Ed Rogers and Michelle Caldwell for a live webinar exploring digital workplaces in depth, with demos and resources.
Production
Polaris is produced with the help of our friends at Riverside.fm. Our theme song, “Alternative Dream” is provided courtesy of Adobe. Additional music and sound provided by IndieGuy Records. Graphic design by Josh Brantley.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Digital Workplaces
02:07 Trends and Data on Digital Workplaces and AI
04:31 Introducing Ed Rogers and Michelle Caldwell
04:31 AI and Integrated Digital Workplaces
06:05 The Impact of AI on Digital Workplaces
09:35 Can AI Chat be the Interface to Everything
11:41 Human-Centric Approaches in AI Interactions
13:57 Upcoming Events
14:49 Closing