Unleashed - How to Thrive as an Independent Professional

Tish Baldez, a leading expert in management consulting, has worked with small and mid-sized consultancies and 20,000 professionals worldwide. She shares the trajectory of her career from an independent consultant to a managing partner and leader at P31 Consulting LLC, a training program for professionals in management consulting, life science, IT consulting, finance, banking and more, and how they became a 100% referral-only business. The Foundations of the Consultants Training Program Tish introduced the foundations for consulting skills program about a year and a half ago, which enables small businesses hiring new analysts, consultants, and engagement managers without formal structure training on how to do consulting or work in a consultative way. The program focuses on providing foundational skills, storyboarding, and teaching how to synthesize data and communicate it meaningfully for clients. The program is currently running multiple sessions a year in the US, UK, and Latin America. The P31 Academy offer to help scale up and accelerate the learning curve of consultants, allowing them to be more effective and successful. Storyboard Presentations for Consultants Tish also trains 30-40% of their people on how to storyboard presentations in the traditional consulting way, teaching the principles of how it works and why it works. They also have a special version for scientists, medical professionals, and people working within Life Sciences or data science organizations, helping them become business fluent. This program helps them understand what they're presenting and translate it into language that is meaningful for their audience, making it easier for them to make decisions and take actions based on the presentations. The Foundation for Consulting Skills Program The foundation for consulting skills is a 100-day experience that combines online, self-directed, and self-paced learning in addition to a combination of in-person and virtual-led instruction with expert consultants. The program includes a three-day intensive, where participants work independently for a few weeks, then come together for a three-day intensive in different locations in the UK and the United States. The remaining weeks involve small group exercises and one-on-one coaching and group coaching sessions. The focus is on major transformational bills, such as skill development, practical application, and theory. The program ends with a celebration of completion. One unique aspect of the program is the incorporation of neuroscience, which is intentional about engaging the brain and getting synapses going to ensure learning sticks and becomes habitual. The program also uses brain exercises to activate both the left and right side of the brain. The program is fun, engaging and conducive to adult learning, with participants finding it challenging but ultimately gaining the necessary skills. Breaking Down the Consulting Skills Program The program typically has 20 participants, with four coaches in the room, two of whom serve as facilitators. Each pod is assigned to a coach, who ensures that the participants receive individual coaching and feedback. This approach helps maintain a one-to-five ratio, ensuring individual coaching and that participants feel comfortable participating without feeling overwhelmed. The program begins with framing the problem, teaching the hypothesis-based problem-solving model, breaking down analysis and synthesis into separate pieces. Storyboarding is introduced, with the principles and reasons behind its effectiveness, as well as articles and papers that have been studied and proven effective. The program also emphasizes content and messaging, with key messages supported by evidence. The final presentation is a case-based course that covers various industries, including science, data science, finance, and accounting. The purpose of the case-based training is to provide a good foundation upon which the participants can apply their skills. The Demographic Profile of Attendees Tish discusses the demographic profile of attendees, which includes people coming out of college, mid-career professionals, and robots. They initially intended to cater to individuals who were hired by their consultancies and needed training for their skills. However, they found that many consultants from industry had never been taught how to do consulting, leading to a need for foundational training. Tish also talks about the pricing for their programs, including a course that specifically addresses the unique needs of these experts, scientists, and medical professionals, who need to learn how to translate their brilliant work into meaningful messages that make sense for the business. The Key Values of a P31 Coach Tish discusses the role of facilitators in their business. They are looking for experienced consultants with a background in management consulting to facilitate effective training. They believe that consultants should not just be great lecturers but also be able to identify learning opportunities for the participants and make adjustments accordingly. The company has a core team with a leader in the UK, overseeing Latin American business, and overseeing the United States and Asia Pacific.The focus is on business transformation, not just skills development. The company aims to help consultants build relationships that last a lifetime, ensuring they bring value on an ongoing basis. As the business world has changed, the training they provide has evolved. One key aspect of their training is staying relevant and ahead of clients. Tish mentions that COVID-19 has changed the way they interact and engage with clients, and the skills needed to be effective have evolved. Timestamps: 05:35: Training consultants for business fluency 09:46: Incorporating neuroscience into training programs to improve retention 13:25: Intensive three-day training program for consultants 18:23: Training programs for consultants and scientists to communicate effectively with business audiences 23:54: Hiring subcontractors for training with a focus on experience and relevance 28:26: Staying ahead in business by providing value and building relationships Links: P31 website: https://p31-consulting.com/ P31 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/p31-consulting-llc-us/ P31 Academy: https://www.linkedin.com/company/p31-academy-for-consulting-performance-excellence/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

In this episode of Unleashed, Michael Rubenstein discusses the importance of organizational culture in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Michael's expertise is broader than organizational culture; he offers a bird's eye view of an organization to help move it to the next phase in their evolution which includes: Strategy, M&A, Value Creation, People and Culture, etc. It's all about moving an organization to the next phase in their evolution and includes: Strategy, M&A, Value Creation, People and Culture, etc. He believes that culture is the key to a successful integration and that it often goes unnoticed. He suggests that when assessing a company's culture, it is essential to identify the culture elements of the current company and the target company, and identify any gaps. Key Points in Assessing Company Culture To do this, Michael recommends conducting self-assessments and assessments of both companies, as well as conducting interviews with stakeholders such as leadership, employees, customers, and suppliers. These interviews can help identify critical issues that could be problematic or could be beneficial. A culture diagnostic is a process that involves asking open-ended questions about how decisions are made within a company. This can include whether the organization is meritocratic, where instructions come from the top, or more empowered, where people have more autonomy in their roles. It is also important to consider whether the decision-making process is customer-driven, or operationally driven. Unpacking Elements of Company Culture Michael states that culture is a complex concept that encompasses behaviors, norms, and rituals. Behaviors involve people working together, collaborating, hiding information, and doing things for the greater good or their own benefit. Norms are standards that hold individuals accountable for values, self-integrity, and communication within an organization. Rituals are important and often involve stories and networking opportunities. The Benefits an Organizational Diagnostic An organizational diagnostic can help identify gaps in culture, which can be useful in assessing the current state of the organization and the target acquisition company. A visual representation of the organizational diagnostic can help identify gaps and areas for improvement. For example, if the company being acquired is more advanced than the current one in terms of collaboration, it can help probe and identify areas for improvement. Michael explains that a case study can help assess the impact of a mismatch between cultures and the success of a merger. In a successful merger, culture was a key factor, as the acquiring company focused on taking the best people, processes, and models from both organizations. However, in a failed merger, the acquiring company ignored the value of the best people and processes, leading to a loss of billions of dollars in acquisition costs. The Importance of Culture in Organizations Michael discusses the importance of culture in organizations. He suggests assessing gaps, identifying positive aspects, and assessing alignment. He emphasizes the need to create a sense of unity and use language that is meaningful. Rubenstein also suggests soliciting input from stakeholders about creating a future state and creating a cultural strategic weapon. Culture is crucial as it is unique and cannot be duplicated by competitors. He suggests using a culture lens to frame people processes and tools, and building initiatives around this. Michael's practice is a boutique advisory firm that focuses on culture across various industries. He believes that culture can either facilitate or kill any other initiative, whether it's about strategy, change management, or continuous improvement. In conclusion, culture is a crucial aspect of any organization, and it can be a powerful tool for fostering harmony and success. By addressing cultural gaps and fostering a culture of alignment, organizations can create a more successful and successful future state. Timestamps: 00:12: Organizational culture in M&A deals, including diagnostic tools and assessing gaps 05:50: Organizational culture, behaviors, norms, and rituals 13:01: Culture in M&A deals and its impact on success Links: Email:michael@rubensteinadvisory.ca Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Lisa Carlin, founder of Future Builders Group, discusses her experience in consulting and the need for a more passive income stream. She has over 50 strategy execution projects and programs that focus on business strategy, project management, and change management. Lisa believes that achieving scale in these areas requires changing the focus of the business and execution messages to what is important to the culture. In this episode, Lisa talks about developing and running a membership community. Building a Subscription Business The TurboCharge Hub membership offers a platform for functional experts to learn how to develop and execute strategies. The group is currently launching its own website called TurboChargers.com, and she meets with members twice a month on Zoom. One of the biggest lessons learned from her experience is the importance of understanding the client's pain points and tailoring their solutions accordingly. As people join, Lisa learns about their ideal customer profile and their biggest pain points, which allows her to provide key messages to the market. Lisa also shares her lessons learned from her own experiences, such as being clear on the ideal customer profile and understanding the key message. By learning from her clients and focusing on their needs, she hopes to help others build their own successful memberships. Key Steps in Recruiting Members for a Subscription Business Lisa shares how she built a following, which included learning more about building a strong brand, and reaching out to B2C and B2B communities. She started doing podcasts, signing up for conferences, and having a lead generation machine set up on LinkedIn. This has been effective in growing her LinkedIn profile and inquiries. She met with people she knew would sign up. The next phase of people signing up was people who heard her on a podcast or at a conference. The audience is mostly business leaders, CEOs of medium to large organizations, and entrepreneurs with a strong innovation flair. Lisa has also learned to hone her writing skills and set up a newsletter. The community now consists of 7300 people, mostly CEOs of medium to large organizations and entrepreneurs. Working with a Podcast Agency Lisa discusses their experience with a podcast agency and the results she has received from it. She shares information on fees and services, which involves developing a podcast profile and reaching out to potential clients. The agency also offered the opportunity to choose the podcasts she wanted to produce and post them on LinkedIn as native content and as YouTube clips for their YouTube channel. She also mentions that she has not considered offering a special discount code for listeners of the podcasts, but she is interested in taking on affiliates to distribute their software. She is also interested in partnering with consultants to help spread the message that understanding culture is essential for success. The Benefits of the Digital Funnel Lisa shares her experience with the digital funnel and the benefits it provides. She has a cohort of about 40 subscribers, some of whom are clients and colleagues, and some are paying members. She uses Tekmatixs software, based on a system called Lead connector, which includes an education platform. The platform allows users to sign up for a newsletter, access a lead magnet, or resource, and eventually become paying members where they can access the modules, master classes, and playbooks of frameworks. The system also includes access to Tekmatixs, which is an affiliate link for those interested in trying the system. Group coaching sessions are also available for users to take and participate live. Lisa also shares her experience with email marketing and conversion rates. Working with a Podcast AgencyLisa discusses their experience with a podcast agency and the results she has received from it. She shares information on fees and services, which involves developing a podcast profile and reaching out to potential clients. The agency also offered the opportunity to choose the podcasts she wanted to produce and post them on LinkedIn as native content and as YouTube clips for their YouTube channel. She also mentions that she has not considered offering a special discount code for listeners of the podcasts, but she is interested in taking on affiliates to distribute The Turbocharge Hub. She is also interested in partnering with consultants to help spread the message that understanding culture is essential for success. The Benefits of the Digital FunnelLisa shares her experience with the digital funnel and the benefits it provides. She has a cohort of about 40 subscribers, some of whom are clients and colleagues, and some are paying members. She uses Tekmatix software, based on a system called Lead connector, which includes an education platform. The platform allows users to sign up for a newsletter, access a lead magnet, or resource, and eventually become paying members where they can access the modules, master classes, and playbooks of frameworks. The system also includes access to Tekmatix, there is an affiliate link for those interested in trying the system. Group coaching sessions are also available for users to take and participate live. Lisa also shares her experience with email marketing and conversion rates. Becoming a Speaker at Conferences The conversation turns to getting booked at conferences and identifying potential speaking engagements. Lisa finds that it's easier to pitch her content when people are in a defined niche, such as change management or AI. She also participates in mastermind groups, where she speaks to 15 CEOs at a time and shares her material with the group. This process helps build reputation and attracts more subscribers. She discusses the various conferences on functional areas such as strategy and project management culture and mentions that industry players and executives typically attend industry-focused conferences, such as the auto industry or waste management conference. She mentions that there are various industry associations, such as marketing and finance associations, that focus on project management and transformation, and virtual conferences that offer virtual speaking opportunities. Lead Generation SuccessLisa shares how she has gained 7,000 subscribers on her newsletter. She mentions SkyLead, a tool that can target a group of people who have commented or liked a post. She shares results on a tactic where she received a 72% rate on connection requests. She has also used SkyLead to send connection requests in three different ways: direct email, direct connection request, and in-mail messages and she shares the results. She also mentions that the messages are incredibly sensitive to the length of the connection request, which can sometimes lead to a 10% decline in response rates or acceptance rates by adding three words. She concludes by emphasizing the importance of short, concise messages in connecting with people who have commented or liked her posts. Lead Magnets and Email Strategies that Work Lisa shares her experience with experimenting with different methods, such as sending lead magnets or emails, which had varying degrees of acceptance. One example was sending an email message to someone who agreed to subscribe to her newsletter, which she found to be more effective than sending a direct message. She also mentions a passive approach to managing connections. Her goal is to provide value to her connections and make it easy for them to unsubscribe if they want to. She talks about the platforms she uses to increase the number of connections and convert them into subscribers. She also emphasizes the importance of providing value. SkyLead allows users to send connection requests, emails, and both free and paid in-mails. It also offers a built-in algorithm to ensure that messages are only sent to people who have not been previously connected with the platform. Timestamps: 06:06: Marketing and growing a membership business for functional experts 12:18: Podcasting for business growth, with a focus on strategy execution and culture change. 17:42: Digital marketing funnel for education business 24:22: Growing a community through newsletters, conferences, and mastermind groups 30:53: Speaking at conferences, lead generation, and newsletter subscribers 37:04: LinkedIn automation tool Sky Lead, with 72% connection request acceptance rate 43:46: LinkedIn connection requests, email newsletters, and automation tools 50:42: Using LinkedIn's Skylight system for automated messaging Links: Website: http://www.futurebuildersgroup.com/ CEO Guide: Boost Your Productivity with AI Tools for Strategic Initiatives: https://learnadmin.futurebuildersgroup.com/grab-your-ceo-guide-boost-your-productivity-with-ai-tools 5 Future Trends in Change Management https://learnadmin.futurebuildersgroup.com/grab-your-5-future-trends-in-change-management Discover your capability for strategy execution and transformation. Calculate your free Transformation Success Score Subscribe to Turbocharge Weekly. Join over 7,000 business leaders and innovators are interested in accelerating their strategic projects with a Culture-Friendly approach. Connect with Lisa Carlin on LinkedIn 17 top transformation tips, the checklist behind the 96% success rate in strategy execution Turbocharge Hub, for frameworks, learning and community to reach your full potential as a change leader. FutureBuilders website Lisa Carlin New YouTube channel Lisa's Tech Tools: SKYLEAD LinkedIn automation Tekmatix CRM Newsletter Education Workflow Calendar tool Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Show Notes: Jeremy Greenberg discusses the AI-powered audience simulator built by the Avenue Group. The tool allows users to provide a set of custom instructions for different audience segments, like research or interviews. It allows users to ask questions of qualitative and quantitative nature, and within minutes, results from simulated respondents are obtained. The tool mirrors the sentiment of collective segments and audiences, similar to chats or LLMs on a one-on-one basis. This tool is useful for collecting the opinions of celebrities, for example, Steve Jobs, highlighting the immense power of LLMs in capturing the distributions of the underlying population. Creating an Audience Jeremy discusses the process of updating the front end and the first section of the tool. He states the importance of setting this to create an audience, which is the global population interested in a specific topic, such as Americans drinking Coca Cola. This audience is then used to create sub-segments within the audience, each with its own criteria. For example, if the audience is comprised of decision-makers who decide on software for small businesses, they can segment them into different countries. The Creation of Segments The second section of the tool allows for the creation of segments. These segments can be categorized by industry, such as executives responsible for sourcing and procuring uniform rental services. For example, if the audience is comprised of executives in the food service industry, they can create a segment with one trait, such as "work in the food industry." The third section allows for the addition of more traits, such as "work in the food service industry," to further narrow down the audience. This allows for more targeted and targeted marketing efforts. An Example of Segmentation Jeremy uses the example of the janitorial services industry to identify the three segments. They create a review section that outlines the different traits and elements that comprise each segment, with a sample for each and a percentage base of the total. The group is asked questions about their current use of uniforms and key buying criteria. Jeremy recommends starting broad and going deeper with research, such as asking about the company, title, years in the industry, demographic information, and other relevant details. Open-ended questions can be added to gauge the industry's knowledge and understanding. For example, asking about the company's history and the number of vendors they work with could provide valuable insights. Quantitative questions can also be added to gauge the wallet fragmentation and the primary vendor's satisfaction level. For example, asking about the number of vendors they have for uniform rental services could provide insight into the distribution of the wallet. Additionally, asking about the top three criteria for selecting a vendor can help determine the industry's competitiveness. The Inspiration for Building the Tool The inspiration for building the tool came from research in academia. He cites a podcast called "Me, Myself, and AI" where they talked about research they'd done and hypothesis tested on price sensitivity related to income and brand value, which demonstrated that AI can understand these factors. They also wanted to understand the distributions of different responses, mirroring the reality of the world. To achieve this, they worked with an advisor and member of a research team at the Wharton School. This allowed them to learn how to use the tool in more advanced and creative ways. The tool is currently being developed and is in the process of being bolted up with all its features and capabilities. Analyzing Responses from Segments Jeremy talks about the process of creating a tool for analyzing responses from different segments. He discusses the importance of creating a sequence of events within the tool, such as creating 60 different personas and interviewing each one individually. The tool also ensures that subsequent respondents are aware of previous responses to avoid repetition and create a distribution that is representative of the actual segment. The results of the survey can be viewed in Excel and Google Sheets, with column headings that represent traits and the segment response. The questions include the industry, company, title, years in the industry, and number of vendors. Jeremy explains how the tool provides information on the internal consistency of the responses. Conducting Research and Comparing Data Jeremy emphasizes the importance of getting comfortable with the tool's accuracy and comparing it with their own data. He believes that this will be a significant impactful tool for conducting research. He also mentions that the panel industry faces challenges in getting surveys and finding people, and the power of these models is strong. He believes that the future of the survey tool will likely involve collaboration with various organizations, such as consulting firms, research firms, and researchers from various industries. For listeners interested in signing up for the beta version or to be put on the waiting list, email: info@avegroup.com Timestamps: 00:25: AI-powered audience simulator for market research 06:09: Creating segments and adding traits for a target audience in market research 14:14: Uniform rental services, including vendor selection criteria and annual spend 19:11: Building a tool to simulate human responses using AI, with a focus on understanding price sensitivity and brand value 25:09: Vendor selection for uniform rental services 29:42: Using AI to improve survey research with demos and beta program Links: Demo Video: https://us17.campaign-archive.com/?u=66d85c8e8b72aebc12535cdfa&id=c98ffd78d4 Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Bryan Caplan, a professor and author of 'Build, Baby, Build,' dives into the complexities of housing regulations and the compelling case for their deregulation. He argues that lowering these barriers could lead to reduced housing costs and increased equity for all. Caplan tackles the 'zoning tax' and the influential forces lobbying to maintain the status quo. Additionally, he explores how overly restrictive regulations stymie innovation and environmental improvements in housing. A thought-provoking conversation that questions the norms of urban development!

Show Notes: Maria Isabel Rios discusses the importance of making a firm work for you, rather than working for your firm. She emphasizes that firm leaders often immerse themselves in their firm in service to growing the firm to make it successful. Maria Isabel suggests that a better way to be a firm leader is to make your firm work for you. This involves finding ways to evaluate your firm, add value to your life, and bring success into the picture. A Formula to Make Your Firm Work for You A formula for making a firm work for you includes identifying key areas of importance in your personal life, and looking at your consulting firm's purpose, values, and intentions. Then, you can look at how these elements can intersect. The formula should be tailored to your needs and preferences, and should be specific to your goals. For example, if you want to spend one weekend day with family, zero work, every week for the next 52 weeks, this can be a more specific goal. Another example is a firm leader setting their goals for financial success, which can be a specific percentage of their income that goes into their retirement account. By making these personal intentions specific, you can create a formula that works for you and your firm. Personal Intentions and the Intersection with Work Maria Isabel discusses the importance of identifying personal intentions and focusing on what brings joy to oneself then move on to the intersection with a firm. She describes five models of intention for firms and how this intersects with personal goals. Maria Isabel gives examples of firm leaders intentions and what they want in their personal and professional life, and how they make both work. She suggests that, by focusing on these models, individuals can better understand their intentions and make decisions that align with their goals and objectives. Maria Isabel explains how the different models work in both professional and personal life. Shifts and Growth in Business Models Maria Isabel talks about the concept of a shift in business model. She shares examples of clients who are overworked and need help to reduce their hours and focus on a healthier lifestyle. She emphasizes that independent consultants often have an embedded model in mind, which often involves working long hours for high profits and success. However, when clients feel burnt out, they may need to consider the happiness the firm life brings to the firm leader. To make a shift, Maria Isabel suggests that clients should consider their personal intentions and work backwards to determine how to achieve this. This could involve taking larger projects or creating more sustainability in their pipeline. Additionally, they should strategically shift the model of how they deliver to reduce the firm leader's role in delivery. Maria Isabel also touches on other aspects of the firm's role, such as building a reputation as a thought leader or creating an online course to generate revenue. By planning ahead and aligning activities to achieve these goals, clients can create a sustainable firm that can deliver on their desired lifestyle. Maria Isabel emphasizes the importance of being intentional about what they want and not automatically taking on more projects and hours each week. Timestamps: 08:07: Prioritizing personal intentions and defining firm goals for the next 3-5 years 15:55: Building a business model for impact vs. financial gain 23:32: Scaling consulting firms sustainably, prioritizing firm leader's well-being 30:35: Planning and intentionality for consulting firms Links: https://www.davidafields.com/mondaylive Website: https://www.davidafields.com/blog Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Show Notes: Lindsay McGregor discusses her firm's focus on building high-performing organizations. She explains that the highest performing organizations motivate people in a specific way, unlocking play, purpose, and potential for the problem they're solving. The firm trains leaders to be inspirational and consults with organizations on designing their operating models. She shares a story about how the firm explained the deeper concepts of play at work and how implementing these concepts of play was worth millions of dollars to the fund's portfolio managers every year. Play is often seen as something we do during our hobbies, but when we feel engaged by what we're solving, we perform at our best.Utilizing Play Concepts for Growth ManagementLindsay talks about the tools used to facilitate the play process and shares a sample engagement with a client who was the founder of a tech company that had scaled rapidly and the former processes no longer worked. Lindsay shares examples of the challenges faced in managing a team due to the rapid growth of the organization, including issues of talent retention, burnout, and AI adoption. To address these issues, Lindsay's firm found three simple, easy-to-implement routines: goal checks, health checks, and skill checks. She shares a story that demonstrates the benefit of problem-solving activities. She explores each routine and explains that, by focusing on these strategies, companies can ensure their teams are equipped to handle the demands of their rapidly growing environment and maintain a competitive edge.Outcome-related Goals, Process-related Goals, and Idea-related GoalsThe conversation moves to outcome-related, idea-related, and process-related goals in a company. Lindsay emphasizes the importance of tracking process metrics and idea metrics to track how many ideas or experiments are being run. Aggressive goals can lead to increased effort, but it's crucial to manage experimentation and work smarter instead. For example, a tech company's recruiter had to fill double the number of jobs in the coming quarter than she normally does. By breaking down her goal into six categories, AI helped her create five sub-goals that focused on working smarter, not harder. This allowed her and her leader to focus on creatively adapting their approach.Team Alignment, Strategy, and Outcome GoalsIn some organizations, having a senior leader join the goal meetings and challenges can be powerful, as it allows senior leaders to help block the team and identify blockers that are outside of their control. This creates a sense of understanding and cooperation between the team and the executive. The quarterly health process and skill check are essential for ensuring the right goals are set and the team has the necessary skills to accomplish them. Motivation in the workforce is a key factor in achieving success. A study found that people who learn valuable skills on the job and have good work-life balance are more motivated. However, many find learning new skills difficult, as it is often seen as a big training or time-consuming process. Lindsay talks about the problem of skills gaps and how to deal with this issue. Lindsay also mentions the benefits of remote work culture, which can be great but requires more intentional skill building and offers a few approaches to team skill building.Vega Factor Certification for ConsultantsThe discussion revolves around the firm's resources and tools for consultants to access, such as goal checks, health checks, and skill checks. One of their current offerings is a platform called Factor, which enables consultants to run goal checks, health checks, and skills checks. They train and certify consultants to do these checks with their organizations. The certification and training process for using the platform is a six-part learning session that goes deep into how to conduct these checks. The platform is designed to help consultants and leaders retain top performers by putting in place good processes, making it easier for them to problem solve with their teams. Lindsay talks about the popular training sessions, including how to solve problems cross-functionally and how to make cross-functional collaboration and problem-solving easy for high performers. One of the leaders mentioned that this way of asynchronous problem-solving brought depth, breadth, and lightness to his job. He was able to go deeper into the problems, look at the solutions, and make informed decisions. In conclusion, the firm's platform offers valuable resources and tools for consultants and leaders to improve their work and retain top performers.High Performers and the Play ProcessesCompanies need to focus on retaining high performers and fostering a culture of play, purpose, and potential. High performers are more likely to leave a company that is bureaucratic and dysfunctional, while non-high performers are more likely to stay due to the perks and benefits they receive. Millennials are more skeptical than ever about the value of work, and they tend to see it as a transactional decision. However, high performers know that work can be meaningful, important, and impactful. To help them realize this, companies should focus on fostering a culture of play, purpose, and potential.The Genesis of Vega FactorLindsay explains that the firm's journey began with researching what makes a high-performing company and culture. They wanted to understand if there was a quantitative, productive way to build a high-performing culture. They measured hundreds of factors from psychology and business best practices across thousands of people and hundreds of companies. They found that employees from companies like Home Depot and Lowe's answered questions differently and that their performance management systems and leader behavior were also different.The research was conducted through market research firms, where they found that employees from companies with similar systems answered questions differently. They also found that when the survey was administered internally by the company, there was a consistent increase in positivity, which they believe occurs because people don't trust the anonymity of their survey. The firm's website offers screenshots, interactive tools, and tips for implementation. They also provide links to download research. Timestamps: 04:43 Using goal, health, and skill checks to improve company performance 09:35 Goal setting and performance, with a focus on problem-solving goals 13:04 Using AI to help teams work smarter, not harder, and improve team health through goal setting and problem-solving 17:40 Teamwork, motivation, and skill development in the workplace 23:30 Apprenticeship-based learning in consulting and remote work culture 28:50 Using AI to improve team performance and retain top performers 34:35 Motivating high performers and millennial employees through problem-solving processes Links: The website: https://www.factor.ai/ Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Dr. Ron Razmi discusses his book, AI Doctor: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, which focuses on the applications of AI in various areas of healthcare. Ron talks about AI as a foundational technology that uses statistical methods to analyze data and understand its meaning. It can be applied to various areas, such as coding and documentation, and can create algorithms to analyze heartbeats and detect abnormal rhythms. AI Use in Diagnostics In diagnostics, AI can be helpful in analyzing clean structured data, such as radiology files from CAT scans or MRIs. AI can be trained to identify bleeding or abnormalities on these scans, but it must be trained on specific abnormalities. Currently, AI excels in radiology due to the digitized and structured data, but it's not as effective in narrative formats. Ron states that AI's applications in healthcare are vast and deep, and while it's still in its early stages, it has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including healthcare. AI Tools in Radiology and Triage AI is increasingly being used in various fields, including radiology, dermatology, and sound AI. In radiology, AI tools are helping radiologists identify potential issues that might have been missed in traditional workflows. There are applications that read CAT scans for bleeding and stroke in acute settings, allowing radiologists to quickly identify and treat stroke patients. This helps in regaining function and ensuring patient recovery. AI can also aid in triage, prioritizing tasks based on urgency. AI in Dermatology In dermatology, AI applications can help diagnose skin lesions. Additionally, sonar technology can be used to monitor people's activity and detect falls. This passive data collection method allows AI to analyze the signals and take action, reducing the need for manual data entry and manual data input. This technology is particularly effective for elderly individuals who may not want to be monitored with cameras, as 50% of falls occur in the bathroom. This technology is particularly useful for those who prefer to stay home but still need constant monitoring, such as those in assisted or independent living facilities. AI in Cardiology In cardiology, AI tools can help read EKGs, which are crucial for diagnosing heart conditions. Historically, algorithms have been used to read EKGs, but they were often basic and inaccurate. AI has shown great promise in finding abnormalities on single lead data collection, as it can discern the rhythm of an EKG from a live core or smartphone application. This field-based data collection could significantly reduce the simple analytic and downstream work needed by clinicians in the medical staff. AI in Therapeutics AI takes action in therapeutics, such as providing assistance to patients with mental health issues. AI chatbots can interact with patients who need help and provide frontline assistance until they see a mental health professional. Generative AI has improved natural language processing capabilities, which has been a problem area for AI in healthcare due to the heavy use of medical jargon in doctor's notes. This will allow for more efficient interactions with healthcare consumers and better guidance in their care. However, there is still much work to be done in this promising area. Technology and Medication Adherence in Healthcare The conversation turns to medication adherence, which is a significant problem in healthcare. Long-term studies show that people who have had a heart attack are more likely to stay compliant with their medications, with the refill rate for statins being the highest documented rate. However, most people do not follow their prescription advice. Technology is part of the solution to this problem. AI technology can potentially analyze data and interact with patients at the appropriate moment to ensure they are aware of the needs, issues, and dates of medication use or the lack of, which is crucial in healthcare. How AI Helps Doctors AI applications in healthcare can help alleviate the burden of documentation work for physicians and nurses. One example is the use of AI in critical care settings, where doctors often spend time typing notes into the electronic health record, which can lead to missed information and negatively impact the quality of care. AI can also analyze conversations using natural language processing, which can identify the meaning of words and improve communication. For example, AI can listen to conversations and extract key elements that need to be documented, allowing doctors to focus on the patient and generate notes in their preferred format. AI can also perform downstream tasks, such as prescribing medication, making referrals, and creating prior authorization letters. This could save time for medical staff, preventing them from seeing more patients and making them less productive. Another use case could be for AI to assist nurses in creating notes for patients based on interaction with them, reducing the time spent documenting. This could make a significant difference in the quality of care and well-being since it allows medical professionals to focus on the patient instead of taking notes. Evaluating AI Healthcare Applications Ron's book goes beyond cheerleading and emphasizes the business and clinical barriers to adoption. He talks about the importance of evaluating the business model of AI products or applications, considering the incentives of buyers and the potential for job loss or revenue reduction. As an investor, he suggests considering the pain points that AI could address, such as staff shortages and burnout, and how AI could help medical centers and pharmaceutical companies improve their clinical trials. Ron also discusses the importance of understanding the value proposition of AI products in medical settings. He shares his experience as an investor in the healthcare AI space, advising companies and funds on identifying great use cases and evaluating barriers. Ron recommends reading sources like healthcare AI digests, health tech news, and interviews with experts to stay informed about trends and the latest AI applications. Timestamps: 04:00 AI applications in radiology and dermatology, including AI-assisted diagnosis and triage 10:54 Using AI to analyze passive data collection from sonar/radar in indoor environments for health monitoring, including fall detection and heart rate measurement 15:12 AI in healthcare, particularly in diagnostics and therapeutics 21:22 Using AI technology to improve medication adherence 26:40 AI applications in healthcare, including documentation assistance and quality of care 34:41 AI in healthcare, investment considerations, and product evaluation 39:44 AI in healthcare with a former doctor turned investor Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronald-m-razmi-md-2b55b8/ The Book: AI Doctor: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Show Notes: The Benefits of Somatics Divya Agarwal, founder of Vivekam, explains what somatics is and what the benefits are. Somatics is a term used to describe ​body-based techniques that can be used with the body to build more body/mind awareness, manage emotions, and respond more effectively. ​T​hese practices involve using ​techniques such as breathing, generating heat, and visualization practices to sense oneself better and improve self-awareness. These practices can help individuals feel more connected to their emotions and be present in various situations, such as negotiations or job evaluations. Mindful presence, which has been emphasized in mainstream literature and coaching, is another way to be present. However, there is a growing trend towards using "embodiment" (the quality of being/feeling the body) as a way to enter presence. Some simply techniques to build embodiment involved breathing exercises, visualization exercises, and body scans. Divya explains that somatics works at the nervous system level. Over time, these practices rewire the body and teach the nervous system to respond differently, making it easier to come into presence and calmness. Building Embodiment with Somatics Divya discusses the difference between exercise and somatics. She touches on the concept of embodiment, or being embodied, in relation to exercise. She believes that being in the body allows us to be more present and feel emotions such as anger, joy, anxiety, and fear and to manage those emotions. Divya states that the more we are embodied, the more we can be aware of emotions (since they show up as sensations in the body), and then choose how we respond with those emotions. Body-based techniques like breathing and visualization can help manage these emotions. The science behind starts with some basics of the brain and nervous system. To keep it simply, understand three areas: the amygdala​ (base of brain, often called "the reptilian brain"), the sympathetic nervous system, and the parasympathetic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system responds to reactive stimuli and triggers the amygdala into action (fight, flight, or freeze), while the parasympathetic nervous system allows us to be calm and relaxed. The goal of body-based techniques is to help us be in the parasympathetic mode more effectively and more easily. The Parasympathetic Nervous System and Heart Variability Rate Divya talks about the importance of the parasympathetic nervous system in maintaining a healthy balance and resilience. She mentions heart rate variability, which is a biomarker that reflects the variations in the amount of time between your heartbeats. The more variation your heart has, the higher your HRV. Higher heart rate variability indicates that the heart can have and manage different intervals of time. ​Those in the medical field will discuss how high HRV is good and indicates that there is balance in the nervous system between Sympathetic and Parasympathetic nervous system response. In short, high HRV is an indicator of someone's capacity to have higher resilience​. The nervous system is connected to our whole body as a response mechanism to our outside world. Practices to Improve the Parasympathetic Nervous System Divya introduces three practices to build embodiment. The first practice involves rubbing hands together, focusing on the lower belly and noticing breath. The second practice is box breathing, which involves inhaling for a count of four, retaining the inhale, exhaling for your own count of four, and retaining at the "bottom of the exhale." Over time, as one develops the capacity for expanded breathing, you may increase this to 4 in / 6 out, 6 in/ 8 out etc. She encourages reflection on what may be noticed during these practices. Divya states that it helps people remember their physical container around the mind and brings awareness of a deeper breath. She also mentions that shallow breathing, which involves inhaling and exhaling at the chest level, is not effective to bringing a parasympathetic response. Divya also shares a meditation practice, focusing on the bones of the body. Somatics Coaching Benefits The conversation turns to the importance of paying attention to the body over time and the parasympathetic nervous system. Divya believes that each person has the right and responsibility to operate from a place of choice or knowing why they're doing what they're doing. This involves understanding and managing emotions, which can be challenging in professional environments. Body-based practices, such as somatics, help her clients slow down, be more present with themselves, and manage their emotions effectively. Divya explains how her coaching practices help her clients in a variety of common business situations. Divya's coaching practice focuses on different use cases, such as manager level professionals who have received feedback and are looking to improve their performance. She uses body-based practices and competency-based coaching to help individuals embody and emit a greater sense of calm and clarity. She believes that this calmness can lead to better outcomes, leadership, and communication with team members. Timestamps: 07:25 Embodiment and body-based techniques for managing emotions and improving nervous system regulation 14:36 Heart rate variability and its connection to resilience, with exercises to improve HRV. 20:23 Breathing techniques for relaxation and mindfulness 25:43 Mindfulness techniques for executives to manage stress and stay centered 32:23 Body-based practices for self-awareness and emotional management 39:58 Using body-based practices for self-awareness and leadership development Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divya-agarwal-co/ Read more on the business website: http://vivekam.co/ Learn more from this video on HRV: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KP3Bd7_25Oc Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.

Kathy Hines, former Chief Marketing Officer at brands like Dickies and Vice President at brands like North Face and Kipling ,shares her experiences. She started her career in career management consulting at Bain and later went on to Nike, where she gained foundational experience in lifestyle and sports marketing. At Kipling, she led marketing strategy and E-commerce. She then led marketing and strategy for the North Face in Europe. After a four-year stint in VF Europe, she returned to the US and took on the role of global chief marketing officer for Dickies in Texas, where she was also responsible for licensing. Her experience at VF has given her a broad range of skills and experiences. Developing a Professional Marketing Plan Using a sports and lifestyles brand as an example, Kathy shares her process for developing a professional marketing plan. She begins by identifying the brand's aligned corporate strategy and working closely with the leadership team to understand financials and operational opportunities. The team then collectively develops long-term objectives, such as being the leader in performance and lifestyle apparel across key markets. For example, strategic choices include improving gross to net profits, targeting specific geographies, such as the UK, China, and the US, or focusing on elevating iconic products to consumers. The latter approach allows the brand to ensure it is the best in the world at that product. The marketing strategy should align with these strategic objectives and align with the brand foundations, which include the purpose of the brand, brand values, and brand personality. The Importance of Brand Foundations The brand foundations are essential for the marketing team to align on who they are and why they exist. These foundations include the brand purpose, the brand values, which define the brand, and the brand personality, which guides the direction of the brand in terms of the brand and design guidelines which are visual manifestations of the brand, while the tone document informs global communications, PR, and social media. The marketing plan should also include a clear vision for the brand, a clear mission statement, and a clear communication strategy. By focusing on these areas, the marketing team can create a comprehensive and effective marketing plan that aligns with the brand's long-term objectives and strategic choices. Examples of Brand Purpose and Its Place in the Marketing Plan Kathy shares several examples of brand purposes, including Kipling's brand purpose of making happy, and Napapijri's brand purpose of Unlimit the Future. These examples demonstrate the power of brand purpose in shaping a company's identity and strategy. A marketing plan can be a singular page or a series of sub-chapters, with the brand purpose at the top. The purpose is the pinnacle of the brand, defining its values, personnel, and personality. Sub-chapters can include marketing-related details and strategic choices to align the brand foundations with corporate strategy. If the brand purpose is a one-page manifestation, subsequent pages can further explore the brand purpose, values, personality, and how these factors inform communications in PR, social media, and ecommerce. These drill-downs are crucial for ensuring alignment with the brand's overall vision and strategy. Segmentation in Marketing Kathy discusses the importance of segmentation in marketing, stating that while it is important to understand a brand's core consumer base, it is also crucial to consider the potential of the audience and the growth of that audience. For example, if a brand is rooted in an extreme sport, and the core consumer is an extreme athlete, branching out from there to less extreme athletes who do not compete, or a consumer who is inspired by the sport can help unlock and grow the brand by connecting the core consumer to concentric circles that ripple out from the center. Price Strategies in Marketing Price strategy is another important aspect of marketing, often set by the product team. However, when a brand has a multi-geographic product, it can lead to price and brand differences as well disruption to brand cohesion. To address this issue, a cross-functional team from product design, merchandising, marketing, and leadership teams should conduct a full pricing study to understand the brand's potential. In ecommerce, it is essential to be cautious about discounting the product to maintain a healthy, profitable business. Ecommerce growth often drives top line sales through occasional sales, but if the product is discounted, the rest of the market will follow, making the brand less profitable and less desirable. Full price sell-through is another key metric for identifying a strong brand. This indicates that a significant percentage of the product is selling through at full price without any discounts, which is a strong indication of brand health and helps avoid market degradation. The Importance of Monitoring Metrics Kathy emphasizes the importance of clear tracking of KPIs and simple KPIs and to collect data that can be informative. One favorite metric for brands is Google brand interest, which is an intuitive index measuring search volume for the brand. By tracking this consistently, businesses can see whether interest is increasing or decreasing, which is important for understanding brand health. Additionally, tracking global brand interest allows for a more accurate understanding of geographic differences. A regression analysis from Google suggests that increased consistent increase in Google brand interest is directly tied to increased sales for the brand. Brand engagement is also important in social channels, as high engagement indicates people are interested in the content being posted. Full price sell-through is another key indicator of a brand's success. Lastly, tracking direct-to-consumer offerings through ecommerce or retail can help determine if the customer base is growing or if there is a growing number of opt-ins to communication. By focusing on net new people, businesses can ensure their total pie of customers grows each month. Kathy mentions that the degree to which a marketing technology stack is included in a marketing plan depends on the brand's unique circumstances and the technology partner team. Strategic Partnerships in Marketing Strategic partnerships can manifest in various ways, such as collaborations with emerging designers, faster go-to-market processes, agency partners, and effective partnerships with wholesale retailers. Agency partners, if treated as an authentic member of the team, can be magical. By addressing these partnerships in a comprehensive and effective manner, brands can create unique and valuable products and experiences. Blu Moon Marketing Kathy's company focuses on three areas: private equity portfolio companies, consulting companies, and public and private companies. She assists in due diligence, diagnostic phase, and client work for private equity funds. Her company also provides additional support to consulting companies by assisting with pitches and client work. They also offer project-based support for public and private companies, focusing on business strategy, marketing strategy, segmentation, go-to-market strategy, budget analysis, and design. Timestamps: 04:01 Business strategy and marketing plan development 08:58 Brand purpose, values, and personality for various companies 13:28 Brand segmentation and its importance in growing a brand 20:17 Pricing strategies and metrics for brand health 25:25 Tracking KPIs for brands using Google brand interest, social media engagement, full price sell through, and customer base growth 30:09 Marketing strategies and partnerships Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-hines-1194851/?originalSubdomain=uk Unleashed is produced by Umbrex, which has a mission of connecting independent management consultants with one another, creating opportunities for members to meet, build relationships, and share lessons learned. Learn more at www.umbrex.com.