Polaris Pathways - a Synozur podcast

Show Notes Polaris is a production of Synozur – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. Mirror 360 founder Petar Kralev joins Polaris to explain why honest feedback is the most expensive thing companies fail to capture — and how a 20-second, anonymous weekly reflection finally surfaces the truth leaders need. Takeaways Bigger companies often get worse at honest feedback, not better. Formal reviews, large HR teams, and L&D budgets are built mostly to document and reduce legal risk — not to capture how people actually experience work. Three things have to come together to unlock the truth: safety, ease, and a return on investment. Anonymity must be beyond doubt, input has to take seconds, and people need to see that speaking up actually matters. One simple opening question carries most of the signal: "How is John working lately?" Mirror 360 then asks five standardized reflections — communicates well, solves problems, fits on the team, follows high standards, and takes initiative. Anonymity is engineered, not promised. Invitations go out on a randomized weekly cycle and reflections are delivered in batches, so no one can trace a single piece of feedback back to a difficult conversation. AI is the enabler, not the headline. It filters harmful or legally risky comments and turns raw input into a clean signal — but Mirror 360 frames itself as the infrastructure that makes AI useful for management, not "another AI company." Remote and distributed work broke the old water-cooler signal. A teammate who sits beside you often knows more about your work than a manager who sees you once a month; Mirror 360 rebuilds that insight digitally. The results are measurable. Roughly 90% participation at launch, about nine in ten underperformers stepping up once they see their "mirror image," and one team reaching ~92% top fulfillment after a toxic manager was replaced. Sound bites (Petar Kralev) "We don't really easily reveal what we honestly think about each other or about what we see around us in the work context. And that is a crazy, crazy expensive problem." "If the system you have in place today does not provide complete anonymity beyond any doubt, you already have polluted the signal." "It's not like a survey about your coffee… But that coworker, you're gonna work again and again and again — you actually want to nudge them to drive the right behavior." "I'm very clear to not make Mirror 360 like another AI company. It's the infrastructure to make AI useful." "Never does the truth do damage. It may shock you, it may hurt your ego temporarily, but you will be better for knowing it. And the world will be better for knowing it." "It's the difference between turning on the lights or staying in the dark." "What story do you tell yourself that you take for the truth? Because these stories really are the ceiling we impose on ourselves — and we forget that we just made them up." References Guest Notes Mirror 360 — company website: mirror360.org. Mirror 360 on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mirror-360. P Petar Kralev on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/petarkralev; Petar also publishes longer-form writing on the workplace visibility problem on Substack at https://substack.com/@petarkralev Industry Gallup, State of the Global Workplace: 2026 — global engagement at 20%, an estimated $10 trillion in lost productivity, and most of the recent decline attributed to falling manager engagement: gallup.com. U.S. engagement figures (United States and Canada at 31%, the highest-ranked region) from the same Gallup report: Gallup global data summary. Culture Eckhart Tolle, A New Earth (the book Petar recommends; Tolle is also the author of The Power of Now): eckharttolle.com. Startup World Cup — the global startup competition whose Grand Finale takes place in San Francisco in November 2026, which Mirror 360 is advancing to after a Bulgaria regional win: startupworldcup.io. Events TechCon 365 Chicago — June 15–19, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL TechCon 365 Seattle — August 24–28 CollabDays New England — October 16, 2026 Production Polaris is produced with help from 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. Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Petar Kralev and Mirror 360 01:48 The decline in employee engagement and its implications 02:45 The personal journey of Petar and the origin of Mirror 360 04:52 The iceberg of ignorance and feedback challenges 07:28 Barriers to honest feedback and how Mirror 360 addresses them 10:18 Questions to ask for effective feedback 13:11 The role of AI in filtering and analyzing feedback 15:18 Ensuring anonymity and trust in feedback systems 17:44 The impact of honest feedback on organizational performance 19:59 The future of management and AI integration 22:02 Remote work challenges and digital water cooler moments 23:48 Success stories and organizational transformations 26:50 Petar's personal story and authenticity in leadership 30:10 Book recommendation: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle 31:31 How to stay connected with Petar and upcoming initiatives

Polaris is a production of Synozur – 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 the cultural shifts that accompany these changes. The conversation highlights the urgency for businesses and individuals to adapt to the evolving landscape shaped by AI. Takeaways AI's Disruption Is Here: AI is already transforming work and society on a massive scale – a change many experts call even bigger than the internet revolution. Leaders can't ignore it. Adaptation Is Key: Rather than fearing automation, organizations must focus on upskilling talent and using AI to streamline workflows. Those who leverage AI will outpace those who don't. In Michael's words, "Everyone needs to upskill… that's the only way you're going to survive." Short-Term Pain, Long-Term Gain: New tech often displaces jobs initially (especially entry-level roles). But if harnessed correctly, AI can boost productivity and create new opportunities – similar to how desktop publishing eventually made print bigger, not smaller. Real Problems, Not Just "Me-Too" Tools: Michael argues today's AI boom is filled with copycat chatbots. The real value will come from AI solving everyday pain points – for example, automating tedious workflows so people can focus on creative, high-value work. Quality vs. Quantity: With generative AI, it's now easy to pump out content – including low-quality "AI slop." In the long run, either AI will learn to produce truly high-quality results, or people will seek out human authenticity. (Think of it as a "flight to humanity," where authenticity becomes a differentiator.) Stay Ahead of the Wave: Michael's motto is, "I help you catch the next wave before it catches you." The message: be proactive. Understand the trends (like AI) shaping your industry, and lead with them – don't chase them after the fact. Sound bites Michael Tchong: "AI is the biggest revolution – even larger than the internet itself." "With AI, we're going to get a 10× wave of unforeseen effects on society." "Everyone needs to upskill in AI – it's the only way you're going to survive." "The #1 pain point for everyone is: why does it take so freaking long to do anything? Workflow is the biggest opportunity for AI to boost productivity." Chris McNulty: "Every breakthrough is social before it's technical. What changes the wires changes us." "Either AI gets better at quality, or there will be a flight to humanity – people craving authentic, human work." "AI won't replace people. But people using AI will replace those who don't." References Michael Tchong University of San Francisco – https://www.usfca.edu Michael Tchong serves as an adjunct professor of innovation at USF Ubertrends – https://www.ubertrends.com Ubertrends Academy, Michael Tchong's trend forecasting & innovation academy (and title of his book "Ubertrends – How Trends and Innovation Are Transforming Our Future"). Michael Tchong on LinkedIn Industry News ChatGPT reached 100 million users in its first two months (Source: Ubertrends) Only 17% of U.S. adults expect AI to have a mostly positive impact on society in the next 20 years (Source: Pew Research Center) 18% of work globally could be automated by AI, affecting 300 million roles (Source: Goldman Sachs) Society & Culture Open Letter on AI Pause – In 2023, Elon Musk, Steve Wozniak, and 1,000+ tech leaders signed an open letter urging a 6-month pause on advanced AI development, warning of "profound risks to society"[5]. Teens & AI Therapy –28% of parents report their teen has used AI for emotional support (Source: Norton Cyber Safety Insights Report: Connected Kids (2025)) Ford CEO on Jobs – Jim Farley (Ford Motors) predicted at Aspen Ideas Festival that "AI is going to replace literally half of all white-collar workers in the U.S.". (Source: Ford Authority.) John Oliver's Take – On HBO's Last Week Tonight, John Oliver discussed how it's not going to be AI replacing lawyers; it's going to be lawyers with AI replacing lawyers without it. "The Victorian Internet" (book by Tom Standage) chronicles how the 19th-century telegraph revolutionized communication, spurring phenomena from instant stock quotes to the first "online" romances – a reminder that technology has long disrupted social norms. Events TribalNet Conference | September 14-18, 2025, Reno Nevada London Tech Leaders' Summit | October 7-8., 2025 Minster Building - right near the Tower of London - London UK Experts Live | October 10, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Vancouver AI Summit | October 19-20, 2025 Vancouver BC TechCon 365 Dallas - | November 3-7, 2025 (Dallas, TX) - Irving Convention Center Microsoft Ignite 2025 – Nov 17-21, 2025 (San Francisco, CA). ESPC25 (European SharePoint Conference 2025) | Dec 1-4, 2025 (Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) Dublin, Ireland). Production Polaris is produced with help from 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. Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Terms and Data Points 03:32 Introducing Michael Tchong 05:24 The Rise of AI and Its Impact 07:07 Future of Work and Labor Market 09:50 AI in Marketing and Business Transformation 11:20 Agentic AI 14:27 Conclusion and Future Directions 30:22 Cultural Influences 32:57 Upcoming Tech Events and Conferences 34:03 The Impact of Technology on Society 35:16 Closing

Polaris is a production of Synozur – 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 their collaboration, which allows organizations to utilize the strengths of both M-Files and Microsoft without having to choose between them. The episode concludes with insights into future trends in content management and the significance of tailored solutions for specific industries. Key Takeaways · Content is Exploding: The $73 billion content management market is booming, with enterprise data volumes expected to reach 175 zettabytes by 2025 — most of it unstructured. Businesses need effective solutions to transform this information into insights. · No More Either/Or: The partnership between M-Files and Microsoft removes the old dilemma of choosing between a specialized system and Microsoft 365. Now, clients benefit from M-Files' purpose-built content management solution for industry use cases natively within Microsoft 365, blending collaboration with structure. SharePoint Embedded serves as the storage backend, enabling native Office co-authoring, and native access to M-Files content for Copilot, while keeping content within Microsoft's compliance framework for unified security and governance. · AI-Ready Content: This joint solution also prepares organizations for the future of AI. By combining M-Files' semantic architecture with Microsoft's AI tools, companies elevate their AI solutions, ensuring accurate and relevant information is accessed by LLM technologies. SharePoint provides broad content services while M-Files delivers out of the box solutions for industry use cases —allowing businesses to tailor solutions to their needs without fragmentation of their investment in Microsoft. · User Adoption through Simplicity: Ultimately, this seamless approach encourages user adoption. Employees can work in familiar apps while M-Files manages content in the background, promoting compliance and readiness for the AI era. · Sound bites Ryan Barry (M-Files) – Vice President, Strategic Operations & Corp Dev "In the next five years, every organization – big or small – will be challenged to find a way to effectively implement AI… because they'll be left behind if they don't." "A document management system is basically a structured approach to your unstructured data. That's how you make AI work for you – garbage in, garbage out." "We've eliminated a painful choice for customers. You no longer have to pick between the Microsoft platform and a specialized solution – now you get both, seamlessly." "The reality is, the lowest common denominator tends to prevail. Whatever is easiest for users is what happens. This partnership makes the right way the easy way." Ian Story (Microsoft) – Principal Architect, OneDrive & SharePoint "This is some of the biggest news in content management since SharePoint itself. Two former rivals are teaming up – and the result is greater than the sum of its parts." "Everybody loves the library… nobody wants to be the librarian. We need tools that organize and govern information for you, without extra effort." "If you've ever named a file 'Final_final_V2.doc', you know you need a better content management system!" "Language is the rocket fuel of AI, and language lives in documents. By bringing all your content into one intelligent system, you're filling your AI's tank with high-octane fuel." References M-Files and Microsoft M-Files – https://www.m-files.com Microsoft – https://www.microsoft.com SharePoint Embedded Ryan Barry – M-Files VP Corp Dev Ian Story – Microsoft Principal Architect M-Files & Microsoft Partnership Press Release – Microsoft SharePoint Blog – "SharePoint Embedded & M-Files: a new wave of document management" Forrester Blog (Cheryl McKinnon) – "M-Files Deepens Microsoft Integration" Content Management IDC Data Age Report – Global Datasphere to reach 175 ZB by 2025 Congruity360 Blog – Unstructured Data Stats (80% & 95%) AIIM Industry Research – "No single ECM system" Pop Culture "Happy Gilmore 2" - July 2025 Dodgers vs. Red Sox - July 2025 – Red Sox take the series in Fenway, 2-1. Kirk Gibson 1988 HR – The Natural in real life Events FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies - August 26 (Teams Online) London Tech Leaders' Summit | October 7-8., 2025 (London UK) Minster Building Experts Live | October 10, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Vancouver AI Summit | October 20, 2025 (Vancouver BC) – Harbour Centre TechCon 365 Dallas - | November 3-7, 2025 (Dallas, TX). Irving Convention Center Microsoft Ignite 2025 | Nov 17-21, 2025 (San Francisco, CA). ESPC25 (European SharePoint Conference 2025) | Dec 1-4, 2025 (Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) Dublin, Ireland). Production Polaris is produced with the help from 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. Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks. Chapters 00:00 The Rise of AI in Content Management 01:40 Terms and Data Points 03:20 Navigating the Challenges of Unstructured Data 03:28 Introduction and Backgrounds 05:48 The Partnership Announcement 07:27 Sportsball - Red Sox and Dodgers 09:13 In the News: M-Files and Microsoft 10:21 M-Files Now Native to Microsoft 365 12:30 Customer Reactions and Market Impact 15:16 The Value Proposition of the Partnership 24:29 Content Management and Human Nature 25:21 What's SharePoint Embedded? 30:07 Understanding the Value of Content Management 31:58 The Role of AI in Content Management 37:37 Future Trends in Content Management 41:42 Personal Insights and Recommendations 45:35 Upcoming Events 46:46 Closing Thoughts

Polaris is a production of Synozur – 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 Jordan Uytterhagen, CEO of Cadence Solutions, about the critical role of data migration in the age of AI. They discuss the challenges organizations face when transitioning to modern platforms like Microsoft 365, the importance of information architecture, and the need for effective governance during migration. Jordan shares insights on user behavior, best practices for successful migrations, and the tools Cadence offers to streamline the process. The conversation also touches on future trends in data management and personal reflections on business culture. Notable Quotes (Jordan Uytterhagen) "You go from Jetsons technology at home to Flintstones technology at work." "Co-authoring is a huge change management win without really needing to do anything." "Anyone can get data into SharePoint — the hard part is getting it out of the old system." "There are filers and there are pilers, and you can't make one into the other." References Industry Forbes – Reference about modernizing legacy data platforms for AI readiness. CIO Magazine – Article on consolidating outdated systems onto modern platforms to cut costs and complexity. Gartner – emphasizing that careful planning and risk management in data migrations leads to more successful outcomes. OpenText – an enterprise content management software suite often used for document and records management. Kofax – , a software company specializing in document capture, OCR, and automation solutions for digitizing content. Guest Jordan Uytterhagen - LinkedIn Cadence Solutions – the boutique firm founded by Jordan Uytterhagen, focused on data migration and information governance (Microsoft 365 specialist). Pop culture The Jetsons – a 1960s animated sitcom set in a futuristic world of advanced technology (shorthand for "modern tech"). The Flintstones – a 1960s animated sitcom about a Stone Age family (shorthand for "outdated tech"). It was created to be a primetime Stone Age cartoon based on The Honeymooners with Jackie Gleason and Art Carney. Shoe Dog – a memoir by Nike co-founder Phil Knight, recounting the scrappy early days and growth of Nike. The Founder – a 2016 biographical film starring Micheal Keaton about Ray Kroc and the expansion of the McDonald's franchise. Air (2023) – a 2023 film dramatizing Nike's pursuit of a young Michael Jordan and the creation of the Air Jordan sneaker line starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Too Big to Fail - a 2009 book by Andrew Ross Sorkin (and later an HBO film) detailing the 2008 financial crisis and the collapse of Wall Street institutions. The Big Short – a 2015 film (based on Michael Lewis's book) that portrays a few investors who bet against the 2008 housing bubble and profited from the financial crisis. American Greed – a CNBC true-crime documentary series that profiles cases of corporate fraud and white-collar crime. Moneyball – a 2011 film (based on a book) about the Oakland A's baseball team using data analytics to build a competitive roster on a budget, with Brad Pitt, Chris Pratt and Jonah Hill War Dogs – a 2016 film based on the true story of two young men who became unlikely arms dealers for the U.S. government, again with Jonah Hill and Miles Teller Events M365 Community Days NYC | July 25, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Seattle Tech Week | July 28 - August 1, Seattle WA TechCon 365 Atlanta | August 11-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center. FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies - August 26 North American Collaboration Summit | September 7-9 Branson. MO TribalNet Conference | September 14-18, 2025, Reno Nevada London Tech Leaders' Summit | October 7-8., 2025 London UK Experts Live | October 10, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Vancouver AI Summit | October 20, 2025 Vancouver BC Takeaways Modernize for AI: True AI readiness begins with a solid data foundation. Jordan explains that moving content from old systems to modern cloud platforms is key before using advanced AI tools. Without accessible data, even the best AI models can't provide value, so modernization is essential. Use Your Cloud Investments: Many organizations already pay for Microsoft 365 yet don't fully use it. Migrating legacy data unlocks built-in features and cuts costs by retiring outdated systems. Jordan shares examples where clients used their E5 licenses more effectively after migration, boosting ROI on existing software. Immediate Wins (Beyond AI): Migration brings quick benefits beyond future AI. For instance, e-discovery and audit trails improve instantly when data is consolidated, pleasing compliance teams. Co-authoring in SharePoint and OneDrive also boosts collaboration, especially for new hires used to modern tools, helping drive change. Filers vs. Pilers – Keep Some Structure: People organize in different ways—filers prefer folders, pilers use search. Jordan recommends a light structure with basic folders and metadata for filers, so everyone has a place for their content. This approach avoids overcomplication and supports both search-driven users and governance. Migration Is More Than Moving Files: Migration involves more than just transferring files; legacy systems often have retention policies, workflows, or integrations. These elements need to be rebuilt in the new system. Jordan stresses that detailed planning is crucial, including what to move first and how to manage processes post-migration. Choose Partners with Source Expertise: Jordan's key point is that extracting data from old systems is the hardest part. Pick migration partners familiar with your legacy platform to avoid missing data or complications. His team even built specialized tools for common legacy systems, highlighting the value of source expertise. Plan, Govern, and Manage Risk: Success means balancing speed with caution. Jordan advises migrating by department or priority, freezing content during cut-over, and scheduling transitions during off-peak times. It's okay to leave behind unnecessary data. Careful planning prevents loss or disruption and ensures the migration finishes on time. 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. Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks. Chapters 00:00 Introductions 01:09 Terms and Data Points 01:59 Welcome to Jordan Uytterhagen 04:31 The Role of AI in Data Migration 07:26 Understanding Microsoft 365 Benefits 10:20 Migration Strategies and Challenges 12:58 Information Architecture vs. AI 15:49 The Future of Data Migration 17:31 Client Experiences and Lessons Learned 19:48 Tools and Services for Migration 22:56 The Importance of Understanding Legacy Systems 29:32 Cultural Insights and Recommendations 32:45 Upcoming Tech Events Overview 34:35 Wrap-Up and Guest Insights

Polaris is a production of Synozur – the transformation company. Synozur reimagines business for our clients, navigating the complexities of transformation and strategy with ease. In this conversation, Chris McNulty and Gabriel Karawani discuss the challenges of fragmented information in digital workplaces and the introduction of Atlas, a knowledge assistant designed to improve productivity and knowledge management. They explore the future of AI in knowledge management, common misconceptions about AI, and the importance of integrating knowledge with AI systems. The discussion includes success stories from organizations using Atlas, the risks of relying on public AI, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI use. They also address the challenges of capturing tacit knowledge and measuring success in knowledge management. Key Takeaways The "Toggle Tax" is Real: Fragmented apps and data silos cause employees to toggle between tools ~1,200 times a day, wasting nearly 4 hours a week (about 9% of work time) just reorienting. Unified knowledge systems can recover this lost productivity. First-Gen AI Fell Short: Early AI assistants created isolated "islands of AI" within each tool, adding to silos. Business leaders now demand Omni AI – solutions that integrate data across all platforms for cohesive answers. Integrated Knowledge = Competitive Edge: Companies relying only on public AI (like generic chatbots) get "vanilla" answers, while those who leverage proprietary knowledge via tools like Atlas gain trusted, context-aware insights tailored to their business – a significant competitive advantage. Atlas Platform in Action: Atlas, ClearPeople's intelligent knowledge platform, auto-captures and classifies information across Microsoft 365 and other systems, acting as an "ultimate knowledge assistant" that delivers precise answers with sources cited for trust. This reduces search time and surfaces expertise within the organization. AI Needs Quality Data: Generative AI isn't magic – it's only as smart as the data you feed it. Context is king – AI must know which knowledge base or document version is relevant. A key Atlas benefit is robust metadata (like tagging content by client, project, or jurisdiction) so AI uses the right information when answering. Ethical, Responsible AI is Essential: Enterprises should implement AI with transparency, security, and governance. Gabe notes the importance of ethical AI use, complying with standards (like ISO/IEC 42001 AI management systems) and emerging regulations (EU AI Act) while building a culture that encourages sharing knowledge responsibly. People + AI, Not vs. AI: Successful adoption requires empowering people with AI, not replacing them. Atlas's approach augments human expertise – e.g. capturing experts' know-how and making it discoverable – so employees spend less time searching and more time innovating and collaborating on higher-value tasks. Sound Bites (Gabe Karawani) "It became a case of 'The answer is GenAI – now what's the question?' People assumed generative AI would magically solve knowledge problems. In reality, AI needs guidance and context to be useful." "If you run your business on public AI, you'll get vanilla answers. Your competitor using AI trained on their own knowledge will eat your lunch with richer, precise insights." "Think of Atlas as your ultimate knowledge assistant. It connects you instantly with the right information and experts inside your organization by automatically capturing and classifying knowledge at scale." "Unless an AI agent can connect to the right contextual knowledge, it's likely to give a perfectly credible answer based on the wrong data. That's a big problem we solve – making sure AI is grounded in truth." References Toggle Tax: Harvard Business Review – "How Much Time and Energy Do We Waste Toggling Between Applications?" (Murty et al., 2022). Study of 137 workers found ~1,200 app/website toggles per day and ~4 hours per week lost to reorienting. https://hbr.org/2022/08/how-much-time-and-energy-do-we-waste-toggling-between-applications Retirement of Viva Topics (February 2024) to refocus on generative AI, with full retirement by Feb 2025. Organizations using Viva Topics are advised to prepare alternatives for knowledge discovery. https://www.reworked.co/digital-workplace/microsoft-is-retiring-viva-topics-heres-what-you-can-do/ Agent2Agent (A2A) Protocol – An open standard (initially by Microsoft and Google, now Linux Foundation) for secure, interoperable communication between AI agents. Announced in 2025 and backed by over 100 tech companies, A2A enables different AI systems to "talk" to each other and collaborate. https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-foundation-adopts-a2a-protocol-to-help-solve-one-of-ais-most-pressing-challenges/ Model Context Protocol (MCP) – An emerging open standard (led by Anthropic) that provides a universal way for an AI agent to connect to external tools, APIs, and data sources 2 2. MCP acts like a "USB-C port for AI," complementing A2A by grounding agents in shared data. https://www.zdnet.com/article/linux-foundation-adopts-a2a-protocol-to-help-solve-one-of-ais-most-pressing-challenges/ ISO/IEC 42001:2023 – The first international standard for AI Management Systems (AIMS), published Dec 2023. It provides a framework for governing AI use (risk management, transparency, bias mitigation, etc.) to ensure responsible, ethical AI deployment https://www.iso.org/standard/42001 EU AI Act – The European Union's Artificial Intelligence Act (entered into force Aug 2024) is the world's first comprehensive AI law. It introduces a risk-based framework restricting certain AI practices, imposing transparency for AI systems, and requiring extra compliance for "high-risk" AI (e.g. in hiring or biometric ID). Artificial intelligence act Guest Information Gabe Karawani - LinkedIn ClearPeople – A digital solutions company co-founded by Gabe Karawani, specializing in knowledge management on Microsoft 365. Creator of the Atlas Intelligent Knowledge Platform. https://www.clearpeople.com Atlas Intelligent Knowledge Platform – ClearPeople's AI-powered knowledge platform for enterprises. It centralizes and auto-classifies content across Microsoft 365 (Teams, SharePoint, etc.) and other sources, providing a single trusted hub for knowledge discovery, enterprise search, and AI assistance. https://www.clearpeople.com/atlas-platform Events M365 Community Days NYC | July 25, 2025 at Microsoft NYC in Times Square Seattle Tech Week | July 28 - August 1, Seattle WA TechCon 365 Atlanta | August 11-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center. FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies - August 26. I'll be sitting down with our CEO Michelle Caldwell for a fireside chat about Microsoft's plans for its new fiscal year and how Microsoft partners can align for success. North American Collaboration Summit | September 7-9 Branson. MO TribalNet Conference | September 14-18, 2025, Reno Nevada Vancouver AI Summit | October 20, 2025 Vancouver BC TechCon 365 Dallas - | November 3-7, 2025 (Dallas, TX). Irving Convention Center Microsoft Ignite 2025 – Nov 17-21, 2025 (San Francisco, CA). ESPC25 (European SharePoint Conference 2025) | Dec 1-4, 2025 (Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) Dublin, Ireland). 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. Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Gabriel Karawani and Clear People 06:21 The Evolution of Atlas: From Services to Product 09:50 Navigating the AI Landscape: Misconceptions and Realities 15:34 Success Stories: Real-World Applications of Atlas 21:23 The Importance of Tailored AI Solutions 26:18 Ethical Considerations in AI Implementation 29:16 Measuring Success: Key Metrics for AI Impact 33:06 Challenges in Knowledge Management: Tackling Tacit Knowledge 35:56 Upcoming Events in 2025 37:26 Conclusion

Polaris is a production of Synozur – 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 authentic selves to connect with their audiences. The conversation also touches on the challenges female leaders face, the significance of role models, and the strategies for refining visibility in business. Key Takeaways Visibility is Vital: Being visible and authentic as a leader isn't vanity – it's a business strategy. A strong personal brand builds trust and opens opportunities. In fact, 82% of people trust a company more when its leaders are active on social media, underscoring the value of showing up. Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: Many leaders (nearly 70% of people) experience imposter feelings at some point. Crissy emphasizes that you're not alone – recognizing these doubts is the first step to overcoming them. She shares how to move past the "I'm not ready" mindset and step into the spotlight with confidence. From Introvert to Influencer: Crissy's own journey from being shy to becoming The Visible CEO illustrates that introversion is not a barrier to leadership or influence. Confidence comes from consistency – by regularly using your voice (in speaking, writing, or video), you can grow more comfortable and impactful. "Get Heard, Get Seen, Get Paid": Your expertise can't help anyone if no one knows about it. Crissy's mantra – get heard, get seen, get paid – reminds us that visibility directly contributes to business growth. She explains how showing up authentically attracts your "raving fans" and ideal clients, leading to increased influence and income. Irresistible Offers & Authentic Messaging: One key to visibility is having an offer and message that truly resonates. Crissy advises crafting "irresistible offers" – solutions so aligned with your audience's needs that they feel drawn to you. Clarity in your message (knowing exactly how you help and whom) makes it far easier to show up and speak out, because you know the value you provide. Multi-Channel Presence: Don't hide – engage on platforms where your audience spends time. Crissy encourages leveraging formats like live video, community groups, and consistent content to amplify your reach. By building a presence across channels (from LinkedIn to Instagram), you create more touchpoints to connect and establish trust. Empowering Women Leaders: They discuss the unique visibility challenges women often face in leadership. Crissy stresses that embracing your achievements and expertise is not bragging – it's owning your worth. By building a personal brand, women leaders can challenge stereotypes, inspire others, and gain the recognition they deserve. Notable Quotes (Crissy Conner) "Being the best-kept secret in your industry helps no one. Visibility is about service, not ego." "I used to be the quietest person in the room. Now I teach others: if you have a solution, you have a responsibility to let the world know." "Visibility isn't about shouting louder, it's about aligning your message with your audience's heart." "Confidence isn't an innate trait – it's a skill you build by consistently showing up, even when it's uncomfortable." References United Nations (UNDP) – Gender Social Norms Index 2023 Report Nearly 90% of people hold biases against women; half believe men make better leaders, reflecting stagnation in women's leadership roles over the past decade. Harvard Business Review – Why Women Don't Apply for Jobs Unless They're 100% Qualified Explores an internal Hewlett-Packard finding that men apply when they meet ~60% of job requirements, whereas women tend to apply only when they meet all the qualifications. Rob Dial – The Mindset Mentor Podcast Crissy references Rob Dial's challenge to spend 365 days doing something uncomfortable every day as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. The Visible CEO - Crissy Conner's official site and program hub for "The Visible CEO," where she offers resources and coaching to help entrepreneurs and leaders increase their visibility. Mel Robbins – "The Let Them Theory" A book/concept by Mel Robbins emphasizing that you should allow others to act as they will ("let them") and not let fear of others' opinions hold you back from showing up. Social Currency 82% of respondents trust a company more if the CEO and leadership engage on social media (emphasizing the trust gained through leader visibility). [Business Wire] Imposter Syndrome: 70% of people experience impostor feelings in their lives (context for our discussion on overcoming self-doubt).[Time] Events TechCon 365 Seattle - June 23-27, 2025 FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies - July 29, 2025 (Teams Webinar). I'll be sitting down with our CEO Michelle Caldwell for a fireside chat about Microsoft's plans for its new fiscal year and how Microsoft partners can align for success. TechCon 365 Atlanta | August 11-15 at the Georgia World Congress Center. TechCon 365 Dallas - | November 3-7, 2025 (Dallas, TX). Irving Convention Center Microsoft Ignite 2025 – Nov 17-21, 2025 (San Francisco, CA). ESPC25 | Dec 1-4, 2025 (Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) Dublin, Ireland). Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Female Leadership and Visibility 01:35 News and Data Points 03:02 Introducing Crissy Conner 05:43 The Power of Uncomfortable Actions 08:37 Building the Visible CEO Movement 11:21 Challenges for Female Leaders 13:48 Transforming Visibility into Authenticity 17:04 Refining Personal Branding Strategies 19:56 Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence 22:48 Creating Impactful Content 25:33 The Role of Personality in Visibility 28:47 Final Thoughts and Resources 31:55 Upcoming Events 33:26 Closing

Polaris is a production of Synozur – 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 plans for future conferences. Sound Bites "At a 600-person event, you're not just a number – attendees feel seen and heard." — David Wilhelm "As Microsoft's world grows, our community grows with it. We just give them more to explore at each event." — David Wilhelm "Not everyone can fly to Vegas or SF for a mega-conference. Regional events open the door for folks who'd be left out otherwise." — David Wilhelm "A conference isn't just sessions. Like a great local restaurant, it can become a place where everybody knows your name." — David Wilhelm References News and Data Points Gartner (July 27, 2023) – Press release reporting that 52% of organizations say risk factors are a critical consideration when evaluating new AI projects. https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-07-27-gartner-survey-finds-55-of-organizations-that-have-deployed-ai-take-an-ai-first-strategy-with-new-use-cases IBM (Jan 10, 2024) – IBM Global AI Adoption Index 2023 research found limited AI skills and expertise is the top barrier to AI adoption (~33% of enterprises cite this). https://newsroom.ibm.com/2024-01-10-Data-Suggests-Growth-in-Enterprise-Adoption-of-AI-is-Due-to-Widespread-Deployment-by-Early-Adopters SS&C Blue Prism (Mar 28, 2025) – Global survey of business leaders: 35% cite lack of AI skills/expertise as a major barrier to adopting AI (tied for #1 barrier). https://www.blueprism.com/resources/blog/ai-agentic-agents-survey-statistics/ Microsoft Global Community Initiative (MGCI) – Microsoft's program to support community-led events worldwide (e.g., Community Days). https://adoption.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-global-community-initiative/ Social: David Wilhelm | LinkedIn Pop Culture Chef's Table (Netflix series) – Documentary series showcasing world-class chefs; referenced as an analogy for community building. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chef%27s_Table Cheers (TV sitcom) – 1980s sitcom set in a bar "where everybody knows your name"; referenced to describe a welcoming community vibe. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheers The Bear (FX/Hulu series) – TV series about a Chicago restaurant, popularized the phrase "Yes, chef." Referenced humorously in the episode. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bear_(TV_series) Events Mastering Your AI Rollout: Success Strategies | June 12, 2025 (TribalHub Online) Business Strategy Master Class | June 17, 2025 (Teams Online) TechCon 365 Seattle | June 23-27, 2025 (Seattle Convention Center) FY26 Forward - Microsoft Partner Success Strategies - July 29 (Teams Webinar) TechCon 365 Atlanta | August 11-15 (Georgia World Congress Cente)r. TechCon 365 Dallas - | November 3-7, 2025 (Irving Convention Center) Microsoft Ignite 2025 – Nov 17-21, 2025 (San Francisco, CA). ESPC25 | December 1-4, 2025 (Convention Centre Dublin (CCD) Ireland) Fabric Community Conference (FabCon) – Microsoft Fabric Community Conference (upcoming event focusing on Microsoft Fabric and data/A.I.). https://fabricconf.com 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. Polaris is available on Apple, Spotify, Amazon, YouTube or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to David Wilhelm and Tech Conferences 04:12 The Evolution of Tech Conferences 07:32 Transitioning from SharePoint to Microsoft 365 11:51 The Benefits of Mid-Sized Events 15:25 Diversity and Accessibility in Tech Events 18:29 Engagement Opportunities for First-Time Attendees 21:37 Upcoming Events and Future Plans 24:43 Community Building Through Food and Events 26:44 Staying Connected with David Wilhelm 27:40 Conclusion

Polaris is a production of Synozur – 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 Microsoft 365 Community Conference, highlighting the joy of audience interaction during AMAs and the cultural insights gained through personal growth. References Microsoft and the Community Community Days.org is the home to find or create on of the dozens of Microsoft community events held around the world every year. You can always join the Microsoft Tech Community here. Mark Kashman LinkedIn X/Twitter The KashBox on Substack Mark is also an author of many children's books, also available on Amazon. Pop Culture Mark Kashman is a fan of Frederik Backman, the prolific Swedish author perhaps best know for A man Called Ove, also made into the Tom Hanks film A Man Called Otto Smartless is the podcast voice of Jason Bateman, Will Arnett, and Sean Hayes, who have not yet been guests on Polaris. Events Microsoft 365 Community Conference | May 5-8, 2025 (MGM Grand, Las Vegas) Microsoft Build | May 19-22 (Seattle Convention Center) European Collaboration Summit | May 26-28, 2025 (Düsseldorf, Germany) Mastering Your AI Rollout: Success Strategies | June 12, 2025 (TribalHub Online) Business Strategy Master Class | June 17, 2025 (Teams Online) TechCon 365 Seattle | June 23-27, 2025 (Seattle Convention Center) 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. Takeaways Mark Kashman has been with SharePoint for over a decade. Community engagement is crucial for technology adoption. Understanding when to use specific tools is essential. Internal advocates play a vital role in technology adoption. The TechCommunity provides a platform for engagement and feedback. Sound Bites "If we can get a good ear to that evangelist who isn't just an MVP, but maybe is to hopefully scale through thousands or hundreds of people within their organization. That's where we really focus on." "Business should ensure that [advocates] have a seat at the table. They should know the direction of the business. What are we trying to accomplish? What tools do we have? They'll be able to provide guidance, they can be that internal trusted advisor." What makes a customer exec take notice of new technology? "A big one is around what can you do inside of Microsoft Teams?" Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mark Kashman 08:21 Mark's Role at Microsoft 11:27 Navigating Microsoft 365 Tools 17:16 Understanding Task Management Tools 20:35 Engaging with Microsoft Customers 23:45 Empowering Internal Advocates 25:31 Exciting Tools in Executive Briefings 29:59 Exploring the Tech Community 31:56 Practical Insights for Tech Users 36:05 Automation and Rules in Microsoft 365 38:41 Sports and Community Engagement 41:11 Microsoft 365 Community Conference Overview 47:24 The Joy of AMAs and Audience Engagement 51:13 Cultural Reflections and Book Recommendations 56:29 Upcoming Tech Events and Conferences 58:35 The Importance of Community in Technology 58:42 Reflections 01:00:53 Reflections and Closing Thoughts